Russia and US in a row after Syrian jet downed
ADVERTISEMENT
Russia has sent out a warning to the US-led coalition in Syria that it will view all aircraft as targets after a Syrian fighter was downed.
The coalition attacked the SU-22 after it launched a strike on US-backed rebels in Raqqa province.
Moscow said that it would no longer cooperate with the US in order to prevent air accidents.
The Russian defense ministry said:“Any aircraft, including planes and drones belonging to the international coalition operating west of the Euphrates river, will be tracked by Russian anti-aircraft forces in the sky and on the ground and treated as targets.”
The US and Russia are playing chicken over the skies of Syria. This is a very dangerous moment. https://t.co/FBK2I3sGPn pic.twitter.com/a8alGLODh3
— Colin Kahl (@ColinKahl) June 19, 2017
Syria has condemned the shooting down saying it was a “flagrant attack” with “dangerous repercussions.”
#BREAKING: Russia to treat US jets in Syria as ‘targets’ after America F-18 Super-Hornet down first regime warplane https://t.co/dMobo7ajTG pic.twitter.com/KW7khCfLw2
— Jacob Wohl (@JacobAWohl) June 19, 2017
Washington claimed the SU-22 had dropped bombs on Syrian Defence Force positions and according to the rules of engagement it was immediately shot down.
Assad and Putin are testing the US in Syria. Trump is answering. https://t.co/V1uVzb1hez by
TomRtweets</a> <a href="https://t.co/QGml8YDD02">pic.twitter.com/QGml8YDD02</a></p>— Washington Examiner (dcexaminer) June 19, 2017
It added that it did not wish to provoke Russia or pro-regime forces, but would defend its coalition partners.