UNITED NATIONS — Syria's U.N. ambassador says Russia should be able to carry out airstrikes against the Islamic State group in his country.
Ambassador Bashar Ja'afari told reporters Wednesday that it "doesn't make sense" that the United States can fight ISIS with its fighter jets while Russia "should be forbidden."
The ambassador adds, "After all, we are fighting the same enemy."
His comments come amid U.S. alarm over Russia's recent military buildup in Syria. Russia in recent days has sent about a half-dozen battle tanks and other weaponry to Syria with the apparent goal of setting up an air base near the coastal town of Latakia.
Ja'afari dismisses those concerns, calling the recent activity the same kind of military cooperation that Russia and Syria have had for years.
