Russia cites 'panic, desertion' among ISIS ranks

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Russia has announced that its airstrike on ISIS strongholds in northern Syria would continue, saying its campaign has reduced the military potential of the terrorist organization, according to General Andrei Kartapolov on Saturday.

Kartapolov said Russian warplanes managed to hit 50 ISIS positions and that an estimated 600 militants had abandoned their positions in the northern town of Raqqa.

"We will not only continue strikes, we will also increase their intensity," Kartapolov said in a statement.

"Our intelligence shows that militants are leaving areas under their control. Panic and desertion have started in their ranks," he added.

On September 30, the Russia carried out its first airstrikes in Syria, targeting ISIS positions in northeastern Homs province.

US officials expressed displeasure at the Russian intervention in Syria, especially over reports that the warplanes had hit anti-regime rebels, some of which are backed by Washington.

On October 3, British Prime Minister David Cameron said that Russia’s actions in Syria are supporting the “butcher,” referring to embattled President of Syria, Bashar al-Assad.