A second Russian plane came “dangerously close” to a U.S. drone over Syria this week, the White House said Wednesday, just days after another Russian plane shot down another drone over the war-torn country. An American drone.
“We have seen reports this week of a second Russian fighter jet coming dangerously close to our drone on a mission to defeat ISIS,” White House spokeswoman Karin Jean-Pierre told reporters at a news conference. .”
“We remain focused on our mission to defeat ISIS, as evidenced by our recent strike against an ISIS leader in Syria this month,” she added.
A Russian fighter jet hit a U.S. drone with a flare over Syria on Sunday and “significantly” damaged its propeller, the U.S. military said on Tuesday, in violation of established agreements and international norms.
In recent months, Russian warplanes have increased the frequency of dangerous encounters with U.S. military aircraft over Syria, where militaries from both countries operate, U.S. officials said.
In 2015, Russia intervened in the Syrian civil war, tipping the tide in favor of President Bashar al-Assad. Moscow has since expanded its military presence in the country, with permanent air and naval bases.
The United States is leading a coalition fighting the Islamic State militant group and has carried out airstrikes in Syria this year. Last year, Washington ramped up attacks and operations against suspected Islamic State fighters in Syria.
A U.S.-led operation in 2019 killed former ISIS leader Abu Bakr al Baghdadi, who described himself as the “caliph of all Muslims,” and has since targeted the country’s surviving leaders, many of whom are believed to be planning attacks abroad.
At its peak in 2014, the Islamic State group controlled a third of Iraq and Syria. Although the group was pushed back in both countries, its militants continued to carry out insurgent attacks.
Source : Baidu
