By Aisha Chowdhry and Thomas McKinless

The Russians say they want to assist in the fight against the Islamic State, but “their actions simply don’t support that,” Col. Steve Warren, Operation Inherent Resolve Spokesman told reporters via teleconference from Iraq. He said that none of fluctuation in US airstrikes against the Islamic State on the ground has anything to do with the Russians. To date, the US has conducted 7,712 airstrikes in Iraq and Syria. Warren called the Russian airstrikes in the region “concerning,” since he said in some cases they are targeting forces friendly to the US.