US says Russia 'behaving unprofessionally' in Syria

INCIRLIK, Turkey

Russian forces have been behaving unprofessionally in Syria, U.S. Defense Secretary Ashton Carter said Tuesday.

In remarks made during his visit to the Incirlik Airbase in southern Turkey near the Syrian border, Carter said: "They [Russia] said they came to fight against Daesh, but they struck the opposition forces. They are behaving unprofessionally. It has to be changed."

Russia began air operations in Syria on Sept. 30 with the aim of supporting the embattled regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

While the Kremlin says the airstrikes target the Daesh militant group, some members of the western NATO alliance believe Russia is targeting groups opposed to Assad, including some that enjoy U.S. and Turkish support.

Carter said that the U.S. hoped Moscow would do the right thing on the Syrian issue. "But I am not sure if they will do or not," he added.

He said that the U.S. remains focused on doing more in the fight against Daesh and urged other countries to do the same.

On Monday, U.S. President Barack Obama said he was sending Carter to the Middle East to work with coalition partners "on securing more military contributions" to the fight against Daesh.

Carter also met pilots and military personnel at the base where nearly 400 U.S. soldiers serve in the anti-Daesh mission. He hailed the U.S. soldiers for their effort and self-devotion.

Turkey opened the Incirlik Airbase in August and began strikes on Daesh targets inside Syria in late August after Turkey and the U.S. finalized a deal on Turkey's involvement in air operations against the militant group.

INCIRLIK, Turkey

Russian forces have been behaving unprofessionally in Syria, U.S. Defense Secretary Ashton Carter said Tuesday.

Russia began air operations in Syria on Sept. 30 with the aim of supporting the embattled regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Carter said that the U.S. hoped Moscow would do the right thing on the Syrian issue. "But I am not sure if they will do or not," he added.

He said that the U.S. remains focused on doing more in the fight against Daesh and urged other countries to do the same.

On Monday, U.S. President Barack Obama said he was sending Carter to the Middle East to work with coalition partners "on securing more military contributions" to the fight against Daesh.

Carter also met pilots and military personnel at the base where nearly 400 U.S. soldiers serve in the anti-Daesh mission. He hailed the U.S. soldiers for their effort and self-devotion.