American officials have disclosed that Russia is using the airspace over Iran and Iraq to fly military equipment and personnel to a new air field in Syria, escalating tensions with the US, a report says.
At least seven giant Russian Antonov An-124 military transport aircrafts have taken off from a base in Russia during the past week to transport equipment to Syria, using Iranian and Iraqi air corridors, the New York Times reported on Monday, citing US officials.
American officials told the newspaper on Sunday that the destination of the Russian aircraft was an airfield in Syria’s western province of Latakia.
About 200 Russian marines and six Russian howitzers now guard the air base in Latakia, according to American intelligence.