United States air force shot down Syria drone Pro-government forces
From the US point of view, the UAV approached the troops of the coalition and represented a threat to them, said the representative of the headquarters of the operation Inherent Resolve.
WASHINGTON, June 20. /Offset. TASS Boris Makarov/. United States air force shot down Syria drone that belonged to Pro-government forces that, from the standpoint of the United States, approached the troops of the coalition and represented a threat to them. This was announced on Tuesday, the correspondent of TASS, the representative of the headquarters of the operation Inherent Resolve, which is in Iraq and Syria group of countries headed by the USA.
Military drone Shahed 129 was shot down by an American fighter-bomber F-15E Strike Eagle at approximately 00:30 local time (same as GMT) after he had demonstrated hostile intentions, and began to approach the coalition forces
According to him, the incident occurred in the same place where the U.S. air force was on 8 June downed another drone.
“The F-15E was accompanied by a combat drone after it became obvious that he was approaching the positions of the coalition. After he continued to approach the troops of the coalition, without changing its course, it was decided to knock”, — said the representative of the coalition.
About the channel of communication between Russia and the United States
The Agency interlocutor also said that the communication channel between the US and Russia for conflict prevention in the skies over Syria operates.
“The coalition brought to the attention of all parties publicly and through channel to prevent conflicts with Russia that will not allow the demonstration of hostile intentions and actions by Pro-government forces against the coalition and its partners who carry out a legitimate operation against banned terrorist groups] “Islamic state”, — noted in headquarters.
“The mechanism to avoid conflicts with Russian forces in order to reduce the uncertainty on the crowded and complex battlefield and to minimize the risks of strategic miscalculations. Given the recent incidents, the coalition will not allow the aircraft Pro-government forces to threaten or to approach close to the coalition and its partners,” — said the representative of the coalition.
There are, however, not clarified whether there are contacts between the military of the Russian Federation and the United States through the channel established in the framework of the Memorandum on the prevention of incidents and ensuring the safety of aviation. On Monday, the Chairman of the joint chiefs of staff U.S. army General Joseph Dunford argued that this interaction continues, despite the fact that Russia announced its suspension.
On Monday, the Russian defense Ministry said that aircraft and drones of the coalition to the West of the Euphrates in Syria will be taken to the support means of defense after Russia shot down a Syrian fighter-bomber su-22 aircraft, the U.S. air force. In addition, the defense Ministry said that since 19 June, Russia ceases cooperation with the U.S. side in the framework of the Memorandum on the prevention of incidents and ensuring the safety of aviation operations in Syria.