Russia: planes hit 51 ISIS targets in Syria

Russian planes carried out 39 sorties and hit 51 Islamic State targets over the past 24 hours, Interfax news agency quoted the Russian Defense Ministry as saying on Sunday.

The aircraft hit targets in Hama, Latakia, Damascus and Aleppo regions, it added.

Russian forces hit a "command point of one of the detachments of the Jaish al-Fatah (or Army of Conquest) terrorist organization" in Kafr Zeita 40 km northwest of Hama, the defense ministry said.

"As a result of the air strike, the running of the detachments of the Jaish al-Fatah terrorist organization in this area was totally disrupted, after which the fighters abandoned this combat area."

Moscow said it also destroyed a network of fortified tunnels in Talbisseh in Homs province used by Islamic State group jihadists to hide from the Syrian army and secretly move around the town.

It also claimed it destroyed an "advanced supply point" in Damascus province that was used by IS to deliver ammunition, food and fuel.

Russia said that it had information of increasing strife between the rebel groups Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and Al-Nusra Front, both of which it has named as targets.

"Dissention between the various terrorist groups is growing, due to the battle for control over territory and cash flows," the ministry said.

"According to the data from communications interceptions, just last week IS carried out three terrorist attacks using mined vehicles against field commanders of Al-Nusra Front," the ministry said.

It also said it had information of mass desertions by rebels and forced recruitment.