Russian, regime strikes hit SDF for first time

A US-backed force battling the Islamic State group in eastern Syria yesterday accused Russian warplanes of bombing its fighters for the first time in the complex war.

But Russia's military spokesman denied targeting the Syrian Democratic Forces, an alliance of Arab and Kurdish fighters supported by Washington.

The SDF and Russian-backed Syrian government forces are conducting parallel but separate offensives against IS in the strategic and oil-rich eastern province of Deir Ezzor.

Regime troops are waging an assault for the provincial capital, Deir Ezzor city, while SDF fighters battle the jihadists further east across the Euphrates River.