Tuesday, August 23, 2016

US warns Syrian regime not to fly near troops : We always have "the right" to defend our forces

The Pentagon warned the Syrian regime Monday it is prepared to shoot down planes threatening US-led coalition forces in northern Syria, but stopped short of declaring a no-fly zone.



US military officials reacted furiously last week after jets from the regime of President Bashar al-Assad targeted Kurdish forces and coalition advisers fighting ISIS militants around the northeastern city of Hasaka.

  • The US military scrambled fighters on at least two occasions to ward off the Syrian planes, but neither incident resulted in air-to-air contact.

It was apparently the first time the coalition scrambled jets in response to regime action, and possibly the closest call yet in terms of Syrian forces wounding coalition advisers.

“We would continue to advise the Syrian regime to steer clear of those areas,” Pentagon spokesman Peter Cook told reporters.

“We are going to defend our people on the ground, and do what we need to defend them.”

Despite the warning, Cook avoided using the politically charged term “no-fly zone.”

Secretary of State John Kerry and Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton have both said they support no-fly zones, but President Barack Obama is reluctant to commit resources and troops to enforce such a measure.

“It’s not a no-fly zone,” Cook said.

“But... the Syrian regime would be wise to avoid areas where coalition forces have been operating.”

The United States has passed warnings to Syria via Russia, with which the US military has an established line of communication.
When pressed, Cook said the warning also extended to jets from Russia, which has been bombing in support of Assad since last year.

“If they threaten US forces, we always have the right to defend our forces,” he said.

The United States would protect not only coalition advisers, but also partner forces on the ground -- in this case Kurdish fighters.

America has for two years led an international coalition against ISIS, conducting daily strikes and working with local forces on the ground to help them fight the extremists...
 [alarabiya.net/AFP]
 23/8/16
-
Related:

No comments :

Post a Comment

Only News

Featured Post

“The U.S. must stop supporting terrorists who are destroying Syria and her people" : US Congresswoman, Tulsi Gabbard

US Congresswoman, Tulsi Gabbard, recently visited Syria, and even met with President Bashar Al-Assad. She also visited the recently libe...

Blog Widget by LinkWithin