Russian military fighter jet engages with US aircraft over Syria for 2nd consecutive day
U.S. Air Forces Central said Thursday that a Russian military fighter jet engaged with U.S. aircraft over Syria for 2nd consecutive day. The incident followed a previous clash on Wednesday.
A Russian fighter jet flew dangerously close to a manned U.S. surveillance craft in the air over Syria, endangering the lives of all four American crew members, the U.S. military announced Monday.
The Sunday flyby was the latest in a series of incidents in which Russian aircraft harassed American warplanes and drones in the air over Syria. A Russian SU-35v approached a U.S. MC-12 in a manner that could have resulted in a fatal accident, officials said.
Officials did not clarify exactly how close the Russian craft came to the warplane, but there have been myriad examples of similar behavior by Russian forces in recent weeks.
Earlier this month, the U.S. military released footage that showed Russian aircraft flying dangerously close to and deploying flares near several U.S. drones. The videos from consecutive days show Russian SU-35 fighters moving into the flight path of U.S.-operated MQ-9 Reaper drones, forcing them to take evasive maneuvers.
US CENTCOM SAYS IT KILLED ISIS LEADER IN SYRIA AIRSTRIKE, NO CIVILIAN CASUALTIES
A Russian fighter jet flew dangerously close to a manned U.S. surveillance craft in the air over Syria, endangering the lives of all four American crew members, the U.S. military announced Monday. (U.S. Air Force via AP)
It was later revealed that those same drones were used in a strike that killed ISIS leader Usamah al-Muhajir in an airstrike in eastern Syria earlier in the day before facing Russian harassment.
NEW VIDEO SHOWS RUSSIAN FIGHTER JETS HARASSING AMERICAN DRONES OVER SYRIA, US AIR FORCE SAYS
The U.S. military has urged Russian forces in Syria to "cease this reckless behavior and adhere to the standards of behavior expected of a professional air force, so we can resume our focus on the enduring defeat of ISIS."
In this image from video released by the U.S. Air Force, parachute flares, that according to the U.S. Air Force, released by a Russian SU-35 are visible near a U.S. Air Force MQ-9 Reaper drone on Wednesday, July 5, 2023, over Syria. The U.S. Air Force says Russian fighter jets flew dangerously close to several U.S. drone aircraft over Syria, setting off flares and forcing the MQ-9 Reapers to take evasive maneuvers. (U.S. Air Force via AP)
US ARMY SOLDIERS DEPLOYED TO MIDDLE EAST SAVE MAMA DOG AND 8 NEWBORN PUPS
"The U.S. Air Forces Central remains committed to ensuring the safety and security of its personnel and assets and continues to work closely with partners and allies to address these incidents and prevent any escalation of tensions in the region," said Lt. Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, Commander, 9th AF and CFACC for CENTCOM. "The safety of military personnel and the success of the mission against ISIS depend on the professional and responsible conduct of all forces operating in the region."
The U.S. military has urged Russian forces in Syria to "cease this reckless behavior and adhere to the standards of behavior expected of a professional air force, so we can resume our focus on the enduring defeat of ISIS." (Photographer: Tom Brenner/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
The U.S. maintains a force of about 900 troops deployed in Syria. They primarily work with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces in their struggle against Islamic State militants.
Fox News' Lawrence Richard and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
The hottest stories ripped from the headlines, from crime to courts, legal and scandal.
