Russia Denies Recent Airstrikes Focus on Assad Opposition

Russia has denied that its recent airstrikes in Syria targeted the opposition of President Bashar al-Assad, arguing that it instead targeted Islamic State strongholds.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told the United Nations Thursday that Russia and the U.S. are both dedicated to carrying out airstrikes against the Islamic State in Syria.

"If the United States-led coalition targets only terrorist groups, then we do the same," he told the U.N. on Thursday. 

The European country's denial comes after the U.S. accused Russia of targeting the opposition of its ally, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, instead of targeting the Islamic State in airstrikes carried out this week.

On Thursday, Defense Secretary Ashton B. Carter accused Russia of "pouring gasoline on the fire," arguing that "what [Russia is] doing is going to backfire and is counterproductive."

Russia was accused of targeting opposition to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad this week, including the U.S.-backed Free Syrian Army opposition group.

Lavrov told the United Nations that Russia does not see the Free Syrian Army as a terrorist group.

"We believe that Free Syrian Army should be part of the political process," Lavrov said.

"The goal of our operation -- in response to the request of President Assad and on the basis of the decision granted by the Russian parliament to the Russian President in accordance with the Russian constitution -- the goal is terrorism and we are not supporting anyone against their own people. We fight terrorism," Lavrov added.