Russia strikes rebel-bound weapons on Syrian-Turkish border

DAMASCUS -- Russian warplanes have struck a weapon convoy en route from Turkey to rebels in northern Syria, pan-Arab al-Mayadeen TV reported Friday.

The Russian fighter jets raided the convoy on Thursday at the Bab al-Salameh border crossing between Turkey and Syria, the report said, adding that the shipment was bound to the rebels of the al-Qaida-linked Nusra Front and the Ahrar al-Sham Movement.

Bab al-Salameh, a border crossing connecting Turkey with Syria's northern province of Aleppo, is under the control of Ahrar al-Sham Movement, a Turkey-backed militant group, which is funded by Qatar, according to the report.

The air raid is the second to rebel-bound shipments within 24 hours, as part of the intensified Russian strikes on the rebels near the Turkish border, following Turkey's downing of a Russian warplane, which was accused by Ankara of penetrating the Turkish airspace.

Russia regarded the Turkish downing of its jet as a "stab in the back," reflecting its resentment on heavily shelling the Turkish-backed rebels in northern Syria.

Turkey has for long emerged as a staunch backer of the Syrian insurgency, providing support and safe haven to the Syrian rebels.

The intensified air strikes by Russia have enabled the Syrian army to advance against the insurgents in many Syrian areas.