Clinton accused Russia of not taking military action against Daesh or any other terrorist organization in Syria.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton accused Russia of not taking military action against Daesh or any other terrorist organization in Syria in her debate with presidential hopeful and rival Senator Bernie Sanders.

"The Russians have not gone after ISIS [Islamic State or Daesh] or any of the other terrorist groups," Clinton claimed in the nationally televised debate held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on Thursday night.

Clinton’s statement ignored reports in the US media — even in the conservative Wall Street Journal — that Russian air strikes supporting the Syrian army had inflicted heavy casualties on jihadist groups, including the Islamic State and the Nusra Front, which is under the direct control of al-Qaeda.

"I fear the Russians will continue their bombing [in Syria]," Clinton continued.

In the debate between the two contender for the Democratic Party nomination for a presidential candidate, Sanders repeated his opposition to the United States and its allies trying to impose a no fly zone over Syria.

Sanders said he supported President Barack Obama commitment to increasing the power of NATO with regards to alleged Russian aggressive actions, but also stated the United States had to focus on improving its relations with Russia despite the fact that the relationship between the two countries is complicated.

Russia has said it engaged in Syria on the invitation the country’s government, which it considers to be the sole legitimate authority, and it has assisted the Syrian army with an air campaign targeting terrorist groups such as the Islamic Front, Daesh and the Nusra Front, among others.

Solely in the time period February 4-11, the Russian Aerospace Forces destroyed nearly 1,900 terrorist facilities while conducting 510 sorties in Syria. The airstrikes have reportedly denied the Islamic State proceeds from illegal oil trade, limiting its ability to pay its nearly 31,000 foreign jihadi fighters.