Russia Says Militants In Syria Are Moving Armor Close To Mosques

[Purveyor]

Source: Reuters

MOSCOW (Reuters) - The Russian defense ministry said its planes had struck 12 Islamic State targets in Syria on Tuesday, saying the militants had begun to move their weapons and armored vehicles into residential areas to try to protect them.

In a statement, the ministry said Russian planes had flown around 20 sorties, destroying several Islamic State facilities. It said the attacks had generated panic in militant ranks, prompting them to rush to try to protect their equipment.

"The terrorists are undertaking efforts to move their weapons into the residential areas of cities," the ministry said. "As a rule the militants place armored vehicles close to mosques knowing very well that we would never target them (mosques)."

It published a photograph it said had been taken by a Russian drone which appeared to show an armored vehicle near a mosque in an unidentified location.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/russian-air-force-struck-12-islamic-state-targets-170949155.html

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ISIS In Syria Using Mosques As Shelters, Civilians As Shields – Russian Defense Ministry

Islamic State militants are hiding in mosques and using locals as human shields because they know that Russian jets would never target civilian areas, the Russian Defense Ministry revealed at two briefings on Tuesday.

https://www.rt.com/news/317803-russia-syria-airstrikes-antonov/

Islamic State (formerly ISIS/ISIL) forces are sheltering in mosques and trying to hide their vehicles around them, Russian Deputy Defense Minister Anatoly Antonov told reporters Tuesday, citing video evidence.

“Knowing our careful, respectful attitude to mosques they understand that we would never - under any circumstances – carry out airstrikes against civilian facilities,” he said, following a meeting with Defense press attachés from several countries, with a US representative among them.

Later in the day, Igor Konashenkov, spokesman for the Russian Defense Ministry, also warned that terrorists may be preparing provocations such as bombing mosques to accuse the Russian Air Force of committing war crimes.

"As this example clearly shows, ‘moderate rebels’ would not hide behind civilians as human shields or, moreover, concentrate armored vehicles under the arches of religious institutions. All of these actions can only be the calling card of terrorists,” the Ministry of Defense commented on the issued video.

[Adsos Letter]

1. "...we would never - under any circumstances – carry out airstrikes against civilian facilities..."

I wonder what the folks in Grozny would say about Russian restraint?

[uawchild]

8. Serious Answer

"I wonder what the folks in Grozny would say about Russian restraint?"

In response to the brutal Russian onslaught in breakaway Chechnya, after two uprisings, the Chechens said "we surrender", essentially. Things subsequently calmed down as the dust settled on the rubble, for now.

I think Robert E. Lee summed it up when he said "It is well that war is so terrible – otherwise we would grow too fond of it." Violence is not the answer. Military adventurism is a blight on humanity.

[Adsos Letter]

12. I prefer General Sherman's take on the nature of war.

He didn't try to sling bullshit about what he was setting out to do.

[uhnope]

2. lol. Russia's preemptive propaganda strike for when they start bombing mosques

So now anytime a mosque blows up in Syria during Russian bombing, they can say See! Provocative action! Muslims blew up own mosque to blame on Mother Russia and Daddy Putin! Call Alex Jones, tell him to announce false flag, da

[uawchild]

9. Cathedrals count too

During WWII many cathedrals and cultural centers were destroyed without a stray thought. Thinking that warring nations respect places of worship, civilians, hospitals, schools is wishful thinking looking back to a long gone era of "limited warfare"

[7962]

3. What can I add to the first 2 responses? Hit it just right. nt

[romanic]

4. I wouldn't put past ISIS

to blow up their own sites of worship. They've proven themselves to be nothing but destructive parasites.

[uawchild]

10. putting things past ISIS

I would not think ISIS is bound by any human constraint except self-interest. Their destruction of world historical heritage sites being just a mild case in point. And I won't mention their disrespect for human decency in their snuff propaganda videos.

[Elmergantry]

5. Mosque=Armory NT

[MisterP]

6. what, not hospitals? and I presume IS has suddenly "found" some mustard-gas stocks as well

[Throd]

7. Putin doesn't give a shit about mosques or much else.

Restraint isn't in the Russian military playbook.

[Xolodno]

11. Clever...very clever.

Allow ISIS to think Mosques are "safe areas" to store their equipment and munitions.

Once they are there....

Easy targets.

Both a military blow and psychological. The mosque you store your weapons and worship at is now gone.