McCain: Russian Airstrikes Hit CIA-Trained Syrian Rebels

Senator John McCain on Thursday said Russia's initial air strikes in Syria targeted recruits in the Free Syrian Army rebel group trained by the CIA.

"I can absolutely confirm to you that they were strikes against our Free Syrian Army recruits that have been armed and trained by the CIA because we have communications with people there," McCain, head of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said in an interview on CNN.

Two Russian air strikes in Syria on Thursday hit the training camp, the commander of the group told Reuters.

Hassan Haj Ali, head of the Liwa Suqour al-Jabal rebel group, said the camp in Idlib province was struck by around 20 missiles in two separate sorties.