FILE In this Monday, Sept. 26, 2016 file photo Russian defense ministry spokesman Maj.-Gen. Igor Konashenkov speaks to the media in Moscow, Russia. Konashenkov strongly warned the United States against striking Syrian government forces and issued a thinly-veiled threat to use Russian air defense assets to protect them. Russia, a close Syrian ally, rejects the grounding of aircraft over Aleppo and has questioned the timing of the resolution drafted by France and Spain. ___6:30 p.m.An international relief organization says hospitals in the eastern side of Syria’s Aleppo have been attacked 23 times since July, damaging all eight facilities that have not yet been shuttered or destroyed. Russia launched an air campaign in Syria a year ago, reversing the tide of war and helping Assad’s forces win some key ground.

Source: Washington Post October 07, 2016 13:29 UTC