MOSCOW. April 7 (Interfax) - The airstrike carried out by the United States upon an airbase in Syria plays into the hands of terrorists, Russian State Duma Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin said.
"ISIL [Islamic State organization, outlawed in Russia] is applauding the U.S. today," Volodin told reporters on Friday.
The U.S. has effectively given ISIL a respite and an opportunity to reinforce its ranks, he said.
All steps that Russia and those who support Russia have thus far taken in Syria have been aimed at destroying ISIL and combating terrorism, and "the U.S. was part of this dialogue," Volodin said.