US says Russia raises risk of conflict in Syria
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – A senior US military official accused on Wednesday the Russian air force of promoting “buffoonery in the air” among its pilots, which could lead to accidents or conflict in Syria.
Lieutenant General Alexus Grynkewich, combined forces air component commander for US Central Command, told reporters that Russian jets continue to violate de-confliction protocols in Syria multiple times a day, putting US forces at risk.
The US and Russia agreed in 2019 to split the airspace over Syria and to not fly over each other’s positions.
Despite previous warnings from the US, that Russia’s aggressiveness seems to be worsening, according to Grynkewich.
At this morning, a Russian aircraft US’s airspace in Syria, he told reporters during a virtual briefing.
US forces in Syria have seen as many as three to four such incursions in a single day by Russian jets carrying a full complement of air-to-ground munitions and bombs, Grynkewich added.
Grynkewich said on June 15 that Russia continues to pressure the US presence in Syria despite the US’s de-escalatory posture.