Russian air campaign in Syria not as effective as America's: US

Russia’s military campaign in Syria is not effective as only a small portion of their strikes have targeted the Daesh (ISIL) terrorist group’s positions, according to a top US official.

During a press briefing in Baghdad on Wednesday, Brett McGurk, America’s special envoy to the US-led coalition against Daesh in Iraq and Syria, defended the coalition’s year-long attacks, claiming that only 30 percent of the Russian airstrikes in Syria have been against the terror group's positions, while the rest hit "other armed groups."

"Our air campaign in Syria, we think it is very effective and we have the data to back that up," McGurk said. "The Russian air campaign has different objectives quite frankly."

Moscow launched its aerial strikes against Daesh and other terrorist groups in Syria on September 30, upon a request from the Syrian government.

Unlike Russia, the Western coalition has been conducting their airstrikes without any authorization from Damascus or a UN mandate.

The comments came only a day after Russia said it has for the first time destroyed targets of the terror group with “Kalibr” cruise missiles fired from a submarine in the Mediterranean.

The US and its allies accuse Moscow of striking so-called “moderate rebels” opposed to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

‘Securing Turkey border, top priority’

McGurk, who was appointed by US President Barack Obama in October, said securing the border between Turkey and the Daesh-controlled parts of northern Syria are a top priority for the coalition.

This way the US will be able to block the key route that the terror organization uses to smuggle supplies and militants into the Arab country, he added.

"We're increasing our pressure there," he said without providing details.

McGurk’s claims contradict the recent call by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for training and equipping so-called moderate militants to join the rest of the extremist groups in fight against Assad’s government.

Turkey has long been suspected as a staunch ally of the militants in Syria. The NATO member, who caused an uproar by downing a Russian warplane in late November, also faces a long list of accusations by Russian officials who claim Erdogan’s administration is involved in oil trade with Daesh.

The foreign-sponsored conflict in Syria has claimed the lives of over 250,000 people and left over one million injured since March 2011, according to the UN.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk