A MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial vehicle prepares to land after a mission in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Brian Ferguson)
U.S.-led coalition fighter jets and drones violated Syria airspace over the southeastern area of al-Tanf 478 times during August, Rear Admiral Vadim Kulit, deputy head of the Russian Center for Reconciliation in Syria, revealed during a briefing on September 2.
“The number of violations, connected to sorties of ‘coalition’ aircraft in the Al-Tanf area, has increased significantly compared to last year. In August, 2023, 478 such cases were registered,” Kulit said.
The commander added that, in the past 24 hours, coalition fighter jets and drones created dangerous situations 18 times over. He also noted 10 violations of deconflicting protocols by coalition drones.
In recent weeks, the Russian Center for Reconciliation reported several cases in which Russian warplanes were harassed by U.S. F-35 fighter jets and MQ-9 combat drones over Syria. In some of these cases, Russian pilots barely avoided a collision.
The U.S.-led coalition maintains a garrison in al-Tanf with a 55-kilometer no-fly zone around. In addition, it keeps a network of bases at key oil and gas fields in the northeastern governorates of Deir Ezzor and al-Hasakah. This presence, which is allegedly directed against ISIS, is not sanctioned by the Syrian government who considers the coalition an occupation force.
On the other side, the Russian military operates against ISIS and other terrorist groups in Syria under an agreement with the government.
The U.S. attempts to expand its aerial operations over Syria without coordination with the Russian side could eventually lead to a dangerous escalation.
MORE ON THIS TOPIC:
