Russia bombed Syria humanitarian aid convoy
WASHINGTON- The top US military officer told a Senate committee on Thursday that he believes Russia bombed a humanitarian aid convoy in Syria on Monday, calling it an "unacceptable atrocity."
The statement from US Marine Gen. Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was the first time a senior US official publicly pointed the finger at Moscow. Russia's defense ministry quickly disputed Dunford's comments.
Under questioning from the Senate Armed Services Committee, Dunford revealed for the first time that both Russian and Syrian aircraft were in the area at the time of the strike. And when pressed by senators for his own conclusion, he said he believed Russia was the one that launched the airstrike.
US officials initially said the aircraft that dropped the bombs were Russian Su-24 fighter jets, but they weren't sure if the aircraft were piloted by Russian or Syrian government troops. The Obama administration has blamed Russia either way, because of Moscow's continued influence over the Syrian government in the war.
