US calls on Russia to abide by airspace laws in Syria
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – The US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin called on Russia to stop harassing its drones in Syria and abide by the airspace laws, Reuters reported on Saturday.
Reuters reported, citing Austin as saying, that Russia must abide by the laws of the airspace and cease “irresponsible behavior” in Syria.
Russian President Vladimir Putin told reporters that his country is ready for any scenario, but does not want a direct military clash with the US, TAAS reported on Sunday.
“We once created a special mechanism to prevent these conflicts,” Putin added.
“Our heads of certain departments communicate directly with each other, have the opportunity to consult on any crisis situation. This shows that no one wants clashes,” according to the Russian president.
The two parties continue to accuse each other of violating the airspace in Syria.
On July 26, the White House reported that a Russian fighter jet fired flares and hit a US drone in Syrian airspace.
In another incident a day earlier, Russian warplanes came dangerously close to a US manned and unmanned aircraft, posing risks to crews and planes and raising concerns about the potential US response.
On July 24, Rear Admiral Oleg Gurinov, deputy head of Russian Reconciliation Centre for Syria said that a drone of the US-led Global Coalition “dangerously” approached Russian airplanes in northern Syria.