WASHINGTON, Oct. 1 (UPI) -- Secretary of Defense Ash Carter said Russia's airstrikes in support of Syria's Assad regime were "pouring gasoline on the fire" and urged Russia to seek a political settlement in the country wracked by civil war.
Carter's comments come after news Russia launched airstrikes in Syria on Wednesday. Russian officials said the military operations would be aimed at the Islamic State, but there is growing concern it will instead target U.S.-supported opposition groups and bolster Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's standing. Carter said the strikes appeared to be in locations "where ISIL in fact are not present," using an alternative reference to the IS.