Russian fighter jets ‘harass’ American drones over Syria, US military says

The US military said Friday’s encounter lasted for about two hours during which three MQ-9 drones were ‘once again harassed’ by Russian fighter aircraft over Syria

‘Russian aircraft flew 18 unprofessional close passes that caused the MQ-9s to react to avoid unsafe situations, said the head of US Air Forces Central Command

2-MIN READ2-MIN

A Russian SU-35 flies near a US Air Force MQ-9 Reaper drone on Wednesday. Photo: US Air Force via AP

Published: 3:02am, 9 Jul 2023

Russian fighter jets have “harassed” American drones over Syria for the third day in a row this week, the US military said.

Tension between Russian and US troops is not uncommon in Syria as both countries conduct patrols on the ground as well as overflights. Syria’s 12-year conflict has left half a million people dead and more than 1 million wounded.

The US military said in a statement that Friday’s encounter lasted for about two hours during which three MQ-9 drones were “once again harassed” by Russian fighter aircraft while flying over Syria.

We continue to encourage Russia to return to the established norms of a professional Air Force so we can all return our focus to ensuring the enduring defeat of ISIS

Lieutenant General Alex Grynkewich, head of US Air Forces Central Command

“Russian aircraft flew 18 unprofessional close passes that caused the MQ-9s to react to avoid unsafe situations,” Lieutenant General Alex Grynkewich, head of US Air Forces Central Command, said in a statement.

Rear Admiral Oleg Gurinov, head of the Russian Reconciliation Centre for Syria, said earlier this week that the Russian and Syrian militaries have started a six-day joint training that ends on Monday.

Gurinov added in comments carried by Syrian state media earlier this week that Moscow is concerned about the flights of drones by the US-led coalition over northern Syria, calling them “systematic violations of protocols” designed to avoid clashes between the two militaries.

The first friction occurred on Wednesday morning when Russian military aircraft “engaged in unsafe and unprofessional behaviour” as three US MQ-9 drones were conducting a mission against the Islamic State group, the US military said. On Thursday, the US military said Russian fighter aircraft flew “incredibly unsafe and unprofessionally” against both French and US aircraft over Syria.