Jihadist opposition groups in Syria claimed to have set off a car bomb at a Russian military base outside Latakia, killing several Russian generals, the Jerusalem Post reported Wednesday.
A spokesperson for the Ahrar al-Sham opposition group said that its fighters, along with members of Bayan movement and jihadists inside the Russian base, detonated the car bomb after spotting a gathering of senior Russian officers at the base, the report said.
The spokesperson claimed ?€?dozens of generals?€? were killed and injured in the attack, the Jerusalem Post reported.
The attack took place a few days ago, but the announcement was delayed until Wednesday to allow the bombers time to retreat to opposition-controlled territories, the report said.
The Kremlin has not commented on the report.
The announcement came three days before a Russian- and U.S.-brokered cease-fire is scheduled to begin between the forces of Syrian President Bashar Assad and his political opponents.
The cease-fire excludes the Islamic State, al-Qaeda affiliate al-Nusra and other groups designated as ?€?terrorist?€? by the United Nations.
The Islamic State is a terrorist organization banned in Russia.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.