Syria, Russia Launch Ground Attacks

Syria has launched a ground offensive in central Syria amid an air assault by Russian forces. Russian warships have been firing cruise missiles today from warships some 900 miles away in the Caspian Sea. Russia’s defense minister says they are targeting the Islamic State group.

A Syrian official says the government offensive is concentrated in Hama and Idlib provinces. Russian President Putin says his forces “destroyed all the planned targets”.

Since U.S. officials claim that the Islamic State group is not present in the areas where the fighting is taking place, the question is why those the targets were chosen.

ABC’s Tom Rivers joined us from London.