Russian long-range bombers carried out 18 air strikes, and Russian submarines fired cruise missiles against Islamic State (IS) targets in Syria in the last three days, the Russian military said Friday.

The targets included fortified areas, warehouses, clusters of militants and key command posts near the city of Abu Kamal close to the Syria-Iraq border, Russian Defense Ministry spokesperson Igor Konashenkov said in a statement.

He said the strikes enabled Syrian government troops to launch offensives against the last remaining IS stronghold in the war-torn country.

After successfully completing their combat mission, the long-range aircraft returned to their base in Russia.

The two submarines, Kolpino and Veliky Novgorod, continue to carry out combat missions in the Mediterranean.

source: Alarabiya