Russia Supports Free Syrian Army With Air Support, Weapons And Ammunition Against IS

Russia is supporting the opposition Free Syrian Army by providing air support, weapons and ammunition in joint operations with regular Syrian forces against Islamic State militants.

"The work of our aviation group assists in uniting the efforts of government troops and the Free Syrian Army," Russian President Vladimir Putin told an annual meeting at the Defense Ministry, Haaretz news daily reported Friday.

"Now several of its units numbering over 5,000 troops are engaged in offensive actions against terrorists, alongside regular forces, in the provinces of Homs, Hama, Aleppo and Raqqa," he said, referring to the Free Syrian Army.