Four Russian fighter jets arrived in Syria

Russia has deployed its four fighter jets to Syria, a US official told AFP on Friday, reports the Patria News Agency.

The US has noticed the presence of "four fighter jets on the ground near Latakia", in western Syria, which is the stronghold of President Bashar Al Assad's government, the source said.

This strengthening of the Russian military presence comes at a time when the US and Russia have renewed military dialogue on Syria.

US Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter, who had no contact with his Russian counterpart Sergei Shoigu since taking office in February this year, spoke with him on Friday morning for almost an hour. 

The two ministers agreed to "continue discussions" at the military level on exchanging information about the activities of various parties in Syria, in order to avoid incidents. 

The United States has been concerned for weeks about the strengthening of the Russian military presence in Syria, through which Moscow is reinforcing its support for President Bashar Al Assad's regime, while the Americans have been leading the international coalition against the Islamic State since last year. 

The Pentagon had previously said it had noticed military equipment and Russian troops near Latakia, indicating that the Russian army was installing an advanced air base there. 

The Russians have already deployed at least four military helicopters, seven tanks, and ten armored personnel carriers there, the Pentagon said.