Russia ‘bombed’ US-backed force

A US-backed force battling the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (Isil) in eastern Syria yesterday accused regime and Russian planes of bombing its fighters.

It is the first time the Syrian Democratic Forces have said they have been hit by Russia. The SDF and Russian-backed Syrian government forces are conducting parallel but separate offensives against Isil in Deir Ezzor. Rodrigo Duterte, the Philippines president, yesterday asked the head of the country’s Commission on Human Rights (CHR) if he was a paedophile for focusing on the killing of teenagers in the government’s war on drugs.

Mr Duterte’s remarks came amid a row about the funding given to the CHR.

Chito Gascon, head of the CHR, did not immediately respond to the remarks.