Russian warplanes cease provoking US ones in Syrian airspace – US official
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – Russian warplanes are no longer harassing US fighter jets and drones in Syrian airspace anymore, steering clear of a such practices which they did earlier in the year, a top US Air Force official said on Wednesday.
In July, Russian fighter jets repeatedly provoked US drones in Syria. One of these times a Russian warplane fired flares over a US MQ-9 drone, severely damaging its propeller.
“We did see, after we publicized some of their more egregious behavior, that that behavior was modified,” stated Lt. Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, who leads Air Forces Central Command.
The Russian military intervention in the Syria began in September 2015, after a request by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad for military aid against the Syrian opposition and ISIS.
Experts believe Russia is likely conducting the harassing attacks to support Iran’s goal of pushing US troops out of Syria and, in exchange, Iran supports Russia in its war in Ukraine.
Grynkewich touched upon other challenges in the region, including Iran’s effort to arm militia groups in Iraq, Syria, and Yemen.
In Syria, Iran has established many local militias composed on a sectarian basis. These groups are trained by Iran’s elite Quds Force.
The general said that Iran is sending a various weapons to these militias, including drones, close-range missiles, and small arms.
By doing so, the general said, Iran seeks to bolster its network of proxy forces across the region.