The Russian military has conducted air strikes in Syria using warplanes based in Iran for the first time, Russian state media are reporting.

Russia’s Defense Ministry said the August 16 air strikes were carried out by Tu-22M3 long-range bombers and Su-34 strike fighters that took off from the Hamadan air field in Iran.

The ministry claimed the strikes successfully hit Islamic State facilities in three northern Syrian provinces, including arms depots and training camps.

Vladimir Komoyedov, chairman of the Russian Duma’s Defense Committee, said the use of the Iranian base would “save fuel and enlarge bomb loads.”

Also on August 16, the New York-based rights monitor Human Rights Watch (HRW) accused the joint Russian-Syrian military operation in Syria of using incendiary weapons in civilian areas.

Read also 19 civilians die following air raids in Aleppo 

Read more at RFE/RL.