ISIS/ISIL claims capture of missile battalion in Syria. Nato concerned by Russia 'military build-up'

The Islamic State (IS) militants captured a missile battalion in the military airbase of the eastern province of Deir al-Zour, the group claimed Wednesday.

In an online statement, the IS terror militants said it captured the missile battalion after two of its militants carried out two suicide bombings at the airbase on Wednesday.

The statement claimed the attack killed 90 Syrian soldiers and officers.

Meanwhile, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a London-based watchdog group, said intense battles raged Wednesday at the base, amid a progress made by the IS.

It said information indicates that the IS militants captured the missile battalion, which is located southeast of the airbase.

The Observatory, which has wide connections in Syria, said the IS is trying to capture the airfield, following several failing attempts to achieve that goal.

The state-run media outlets didn't comment on the news emerging from Deir al-Zour, but the pro-government Sama TV said the base's corps defended the base from the heavy attack.

The terror-labeled group has captured large swathes of the oil-rich Deir al-Zour province, bordering Iraq.
  Xinhua - china.org.cn
10/9/15
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Related:

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• Pentagon to overhaul Syrian training program. (dozen fighters returned to Syria to visit their families and were detained by the Nusra Front)

• Putin says Assad agrees to early parliamentary polls

• Syria crisis: Nato concerned by Russia 'military build-up'...

The US and Nato have expressed concern over reports that Russia is increasing its military presence in Syria.

Nato chief Jens Stoltenberg said if confirmed, Russia's involvement would not help to solve the conflict.

Separately on Wednesday, US Secretary of State John Kerry "reiterated" his concerns to Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov over the phone.

Russia, a key ally of Syria during its four-year civil war, says it has sent military experts but that is all.

Correspondents say that without Moscow's backing, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad may have fallen by now......BBC