Russian fighter jets were spotted “harassing” three American military drones involved in an operation against the Islamic State group in tense video footage that the US military has published.
The operation was taking place over eastern Syria.
The already tenuous relationship between the two regional powers has become further strained as a result of the incident.
In response to the encounter, the US Air Force general in the Middle East condemned the incident as unsafe and unprofessional behavior.
He urged Moscow to stop its reckless actions, which has repeatedly put both Russian and American forces in the region in danger.
The official highlighted that Russia must adhere to accepted standards and procedures.
This latest incident is part of a series of provocative actions carried out by Russian pilots in eastern Syria.
The frequent incursions prompted the US to deploy F-22 Raptors to deter flights near American military bases in the region.
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Tensions Escalate as US Condemns Russian Harassment of Drones
The US still maintains approximately 900 troops in eastern Syria, assisting in anti-terrorism efforts.
The video footage, declassified quickly after the encounter, vividly shows Russian Su-35 jets dropping parachuted flares in the path of the American drones and one of the jets using its afterburners in close proximity to one of the drones.
The intention behind such actions remains a matter of concern and investigation.
Russian drones fired multiple parachute flares, according to Lt. Gen. Alex Grynkewich, commander of the Ninth Air Force and head of the combined forces air component for US Central Command. This caused the American drones to make evasive maneuvers.
He also highlighted how one Russian pilot positioned their aircraft in front of an MQ-9, hindering safe operation.
Russian personnel in Syria were advised by the US military to stop acting in such a careless manner and follow the norms expected of a professional air force.
The focus should be on the shared goal of eliminating the threat posed by ISIS, rather than risking further escalation or miscalculation.
In mid-June, CENTCOM (U.S. Central Command) announced the deployment of F-22 Raptors to the Middle East specifically to deter Russian flights near American bases in eastern Syria.
This move was aimed at addressing the ongoing violations of agreed-upon airspace deconfliction measures by Russian forces.
The US military has underscored that the unsafe and unprofessional conduct displayed by Russian pilots is unacceptable.
As efforts continue to enhance security and stability in the region, it is crucial for both sides to exercise restraint and uphold established norms and protocols to prevent further incidents and maintain a focus on combating the common threat of terrorism.
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Source: Aljazeera, Abc News via Yahoo