If true, the strike would mark the first known time the United States had targeted Syrian government forces since the start of the five-year-old conflict. It was unclear why coalition air forces would be mounting attacks during a cease-fire that the U.S has worked to put in place. Russia has been waging a year-old air campaign on behalf of Assad’s forces and closely coordinates with them. He said IS militants surrounding the air base launched an attack on the Syrian army positions after the air strike. The Syrian military said the airstrikes enabled an IS advance on a hill overlooking the air base.

Source: Washington Post September 17, 2016 10:14 UTC