Russian fighter jets ‘harass’ US drones flying over Syria

Russian fighter jets have been “harrassing” US drones over Syria because the Air Force carried out missions in opposition to the Islamic State, officers have mentioned.

A US Air Force common has slammed an incident, which occurred on Wednesday, as “unsafe and unprofessional behaviour”. He mentioned it “threaten[s] the safety of both US and Russian forces”.

The common has known as for Russia to cease the “reckless behaviour” in Syria, the place 900 US troops are nonetheless primarily based within the east of the area. It comes as sensors and cameras on board the three MQ-9 Reaper drones captured the Russian fighter jets flying very near the unmanned aerial autos.

The Russian jets additionally dropped a number of parachute flares within the drones’ path, reports The Mirror.

Lieutenant General Alex Grynkewich, the commander of the Ninth Air Force and the mixed forces air element commander for the US Central Command mentioned: “These events represent another example of unprofessional and unsafe actions by Russian air forces.”

The US has additionally accused Russian forces of finishing up “provocative flights” over jap Syria. In June, CENTCOM introduced it was deploying F-22 Raptors to discourage flights above American navy bases within the area.

And that is simply the most recent in various encounters between the nations. In March a video emerged displaying Russian jets “harrassing” a drone till it was concerned in a collision.

Lt. Gen. Grynkewich mentioned: “Against established norms and protocols, the Russian jets dropped multiple parachute flares in front of the drones, forcing our aircraft to conduct evasive manoeuvres.

“Additionally, one Russian pilot positioned their plane in entrance of an MQ-9 and engaged afterburner, thereby lowering the operator’s skill to soundly function the plane.

“We urge Russian forces in Syria to cease this reckless behaviour and adhere to the standards of behaviour expected of a professional air force so we can resume our focus on the enduring defeat of ISIS.”

“Russian Forces’ unsafe and unprofessional behaviour is just not what we anticipate from an expert air pressure. Their common violation of agreed upon airspace deconfliction measures will increase the danger of escalation or miscalculation,” General Michael “Erik” Kurilla, head of CENTCOM, said then. “Alongside our companions and allies, we’re dedicated to enhancing the safety and stability within the area.”

Defence bosses complained there have been “dozens” of incidents where Russian jets have flown over US bases without taking proper precautions. Back in March the US military launched devastating air strikes after a drone killed an American contractor and injured five troops.

The Pentagon said a suspected Iranian drone struck a facility in northeast Syria that prompted American forces to retaliate with “precision airstrikes” in Syria. US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said in a statement that the American intelligence community had determined the drone was of Iranian origin.

He said: “The airstrikes were conducted in response to today’s attack as well as a series of recent attacks against coalition forces in Syria” by groups affiliated with the Revolutionary Guard.”