ANKARA - Turkey, its key Western allies, Gulf nations and the European Union on Friday urged Russia to stop attacks on the Syrian opposition, warning Moscow's bombing campaign would "fuel extremism".

"These military actions constitute a further escalation and will only fuel more extremism and radicalisation," said a statement by seven countries including Turkey, Saudi Arabia and the United States. "We call on the Russian Federation to immediately cease its attacks on the Syrian opposition and civilians," added the statement, which was published on the websites of foreign ministries in Turkey, Germany and France.

The states, most of whom are full members of the US-led coalition against Islamic State (IS) jihadists, said Russia should "focus its efforts on fighting ISIL," an alternative name for the IS group. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Thursday that the airforce had targeted IS, the Al-Qaeda affiliate Al-Nusra Front and "other terrorist groups".

But Turkey and several of its Western allies have said that moderate groups fighting the regime of President Bashar al-Assad were hit. Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said Friday that Russia's initial air strikes had been exclusively directed at the Free Syrian Army (FSA), the main moderate opposition armed group fighting the Damascus regime.

http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/?id=73490

MOSCOW, Oct. 2 (Xinhua) -- The Russian Defense Ministry Friday denied allegations that Russia's air force failed to target positions of the Islamic State (IS) terrorist group in its airstrikes campaign in war-torn Syria.

"The allegations are complete nonsense and have no factual basis," Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov told reporters.

On Thursday, the Turkish Foreign Ministry issued a joint statement with the United States, Germany, Britain, France, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, saying that Russian airstrikes did not target the IS and caused civilian casualties.

Konashenkov said the ministry was monitoring various sources of false information and intended to provide the public with its own reports accompanied by maps and videos twice a day.

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2015-10/02/c_134680501.htm

Russian President Vladimir Putin did not lose much time over implementing his new Syria policy. After the military buildup in recent weeks and the diplomatic offensive at the UN, Russian airplanes started bombing targets in Syria on Wednesday and Thursday. Although Russian officials are claiming the focus of the strikes was on ISIL forces, most independent observers agree Russian targets so far include rebels who in the past got backing from the United States, the Gulf States and Turkey.

According to Guardian journalist and Syria specialist Martin Chulov, the first wave of Russian attacks hit at least two groups that have received training and weapons from the CIA and fight under the banner of the Free Syrian Army (FSA), Turkey's favorite rebel alliance. A second round of strikes was aimed at more hardline Islamist groups, Ahrar al-Sham and Jabhat al-Nusra. Chulov and most other analysts agree Turkey has always been a staunch supporter of al-Sham which is closely linked to the Muslim Brotherhood. Till now, Ankara has also offered backing to al-Nusra, despite the fact the group is linked to al-Qaeda.

The Daily Beast website described Russia's entry into the Syrian war as "bold, dramatic -- and seemingly out of a spy movie" and as an effort to hijack Obama's war on ISIL. Reuters concluded that it looks as if Russia is using the common campaign against ISIL it proposed in New York "as a pretext to strike against groups supported by Washington and its allies, and as a way of defending a Damascus government with which Moscow has been allied since the Cold War ... Putin appears to be betting that decisive action to aid Assad will improve Russia's position at future talks on a political settlement, safeguard its control of the Tartus naval base and limit the influence of regional rivals like NATO member Turkey. It could also help his image at home as a strong leader willing to challenge global rivals, first and foremost the US."

http://www.todayszaman.com/columnist/joost-lagendijk/russia-crushes-turkeys-plans-in-syria_400446.html

MOSCOW (AFP) - Russia has carried out air strikes on the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) stronghold of Raqqa and destroyed infrastructure "used to train terrorists", the Defence Ministry said on Friday (Oct 2).

"On Oct 1, Su-34 planes carried out strikes on an ISIS training camp... and on a camouflaged command post... south-west of the town of Raqqa," the ministry said.

"As a result of the strikes, the ISIS command point was put out of action. The infrastructure used to train terrorists was completely destroyed."

At least 12 militants from the ISIS group were also killed in Russia's first air strikes on the extremist faction's main Syrian bastion, a monitoring group said.

http://www.straitstimes.com/world/middle-east/russia-strikes-isis-stronghold-of-raqqa-killing-militants-destroying-command-point

MATTHEW CHANCE, CNN: I spoke with the Syrian ambassador to Russia within the past hour, and he confirmed that Syria requested and Russia agreed to help the Syrian army in destroying not just ISIS but other rebel groups as well, opponents of Bashar al-Assad.

It really adds to that idea the Russian intervention in Syria is not simply about destroying ISIS. That may be one of their targets, but it's also about supporting the government of Bashar al-Assad and Russian warplanes clearly prepared to strike at rebel groups who pose the biggest threat to President Assad.

If that's ISIS, so be it, but also a plethora of rebel groups within Syria now falling within the firing line...

He did make the point, that in the past two days of air strikes, where the Russians have carried out somewhere in the region of 20 to 30 air strikes in various locations across Syria, from the Syrian government perspective, that has been more effective than the hundreds if not thousands of air strikes carried out by the United States and coalition of 60 countries in their attacks against ISIS.

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2015/10/01/syrian_ambassador_two_days_of_russian_strikes_more_effective_than_entire_american_campaign.html

A new wave of Russian airstrikes in Syria has targeted the west and northwest of the country, according to a military source and state television.

Moscow began aerial raids against insurgents in Syria, including the self-proclaimed Islamic State or ISIL, on Wednesday (September 30).

Some 18 strikes are said to have been carried out since Thursday evening (October 1). A Syrian military source told Reuters they focussed on ISIL strongholds. However, some of the areas hit include provinces such as Idlib and Hama, where the jihadists have little or no presence.

Aleksander Baunov of the Moscow Carnegie Centre addressed objections by the West, which has suggested the Russian air campaign is a pretext to target rebel opponents of Syrian President and Russian ally Bashar al-Assad. Some of those opponents are backed by the CIA.

http://www.euronews.com/2015/10/02/russia-launches-18-new-air-strikes-in-syria/

Syria on the defensive from the north keeps things cozy on the south.

In these kinds of disputes one would be remiss not to. "No honor among thieves."

What the Pentagon coalition wants depends on what part of the coalition you are talking about, they are not of one mind.

What is clear is that a big bull just landed unexpectedly in their China shop.

They would do better to shutup and wait a bit to see what Putin does and how his war goes before they start throwing out easily refuted charges.

Debka is reporting Chinese jets bombing too.

They are often full of BS but that's what they are reporting.

and then I just use the other source, so basically I never bother to read their stuff. Much like most news sources about touchy subjects for them. What is funny is I have begin to use US media the same way, I used to use WaPo and NYT a lor, now I avoid them because they are useless due to all the manipulation and spin (or bullshit as I call it because that is what it is.). LA TImes still does good work, except when management butts in, but they just got sold again and the new owners already smell of arrogance and "influence".

I doubt China will send troops, or that Russia would want them to, but who can say? I don't see anything yet. China does support them, of that you can be sure though.

Pepe has a new one today: A Syria/Berliner ensemble: Escobar http://atimes.com/2015/10/a-syriaberliner-ensemble-escobar/

“humanitarian” imperialist galaxy will be madly trying to sell global public onion a monster “dreaming collective”; as in Russia is “evil” because they bomb “our” rebels and — horror of horrors — kill civilians! We would never commit such unspeakable acts!"

Like that. But I think we have moved on from "he is bombing the wrong guys" to "he will regret it like we did" now since Obama has said we will just kibitz even though Russia is killing the wrong guys.

Putin will try to destroy them quickly to humiliate the Pentagon. It will be VERY informative whether he wins or loses that bet. It has been a long time with much change since Russian arms were really tested out in the real world. Putin has put a lot on the line, if he fails he is toast.

Just a few points.

The FSA positions in the Golan Heights allow the Israelis a pivot point on the Hezbollah flank in south Lebanon.

Let's see the reaction should Putin's AF cross into that territory.

The Russians will be bombing sand dunes with the same affect USAF planes have.

The best units fighting ISIL are Kurds and the Bader brigades who coordinate with Iran.

Surge Hezbollah and Iranian Kuds forces and the north will fall.

That will assure Assad's position in the short term.

The Turks will not be pleased. They have themselves to blame for playing both sides.

Which leaves the question, where do the Jihad's go from here.

My guess is deeper into Iraq and we go back to the terror campaigns in the EU of PLO days.

Nothing gets settled which was the plan from the beginning.

The Bush neocon plan continues uninterrupted.