Sky warfare ignites: US drone faces Russian flares in Syrian airspace
In an alarming turn of events, the US has reported an audacious mid-air confrontation where Russian fighter jets allegedly unleashed flares at an American MQ-9 Reaper drone flying over Syria. The incident, which occurred on Sunday, was during a counter-terrorism mission against the notorious Islamic State group.
According to Lt. Gen. Alex Grynkewich, Air Forces Central Commander, the Russian fighter aircraft flew dangerously close to the US drone, harassing it and deploying flares overhead, risking serious collision due to minimal separation between the aircraft. The daring aerial confrontation resulted in significant damage to the drone’s propeller.
In a fierce counterclaim, Lt. Gen. Alex Grynkewich revealed that the Russian Sukhoi Su-35 initiated the aggressive maneuver by dropping flares in front of the US drone, causing severe damage to its propeller. Despite this, the drone crew was able to control the aircraft and return to its base.
US alleges Russian fighter jet harassment over Syria. Photo courtesy of Gorguy Kane from Pixabay.
As tensions escalate, the US Air Force has issued a stern call for Russian forces in Syria to halt their “reckless, unprovoked, and unprofessional behavior,” signaling a strained relationship over the Syrian skies.
Reports indicate that encounters between Russian fighter jets and US drones operating over Syria have become increasingly close and frequent. This is not an isolated incident, but the second one this month involving US and Russian jets in Syrian airspace. In a previous incident last week, a Russian Su-35 fighter allegedly endangered the crew of a manned US MC-12 by forcing it to navigate through turbulence.
The increasing hostilities between the two countries in the Syrian skies can be attributed to the presence of their military forces in the North African region. With around 900 US troops in eastern Syria fighting against the IS terrorist group, and Russia supporting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad with its military presence in northwestern Syria, the stage seems set for further aerial confrontations.