At least 80 Syrian soldiers killed in 'US-led air strike'

BEIRUT - US-led coalition jets have bombed a Syrian army position in the country's east, killing dozens of Syrian soldiers, say Russian authorities and a monitoring group.

It's feared the strike at Jebel Tharda near Deir al-Zor airport on Saturday will pave the way for Islamic State fighters to overrun the facility.

Syria's army general command said in a statement the attack was "conclusive evidence" of US support for Islamic State, noting that the strike was "dangerous and blatant aggression".

Islamic State said in a statement on its Amaq news channel it had gained "complete control" over Jebel Tharda.

The defence ministry in Russia, which has been aiding Syria's President Bashar al-Assad in the five-year civil war, said US jets killed more than 60 Syrian soldiers in four strikes and a fierce battle had erupted near the airport.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based monitoring group with contacts across the country, cited a military source at Deir al-Zor airport as saying at least 80 Syrian soldiers had been killed in the strike.Russia's Defence Ministry said if the coalition bombing was a mistake, it was evidence of Washington's "stubborn refusal" to co-ordinate its actions with Russia's government.

http://www.canberratimes.com.au/world/at-least-80-syrian-soldiers-killed-in-usled-air-strike-20160917-grirdz.html