US sends troops, armoured vehicles to Syria to counter Russia

Washington (US), September 19

The US has deployed extra troops and armoured autos into jap Syria after a lot of clashes with Russian forces, together with a current car collision that injured 4 American service members.

Navy Capt. Bill Urban, spokesman for US Central Command, stated the US has additionally despatched in radar programs and elevated fighter jet patrols over the area to raised defend American and coalition forces.

“The United States does not seek conflict with any other nation in Syria, but will defend Coalition forces if necessary,” stated Urban.

A senior US official stated a half-dozen Bradley preventing autos and fewer than 100 extra troops had been despatched in to jap Syria.

The official, who spoke on situation of anonymity to debate particulars of the army transfer, stated the reinforcements are supposed to be a transparent sign to Russia to keep away from any extra unsafe and provocative actions in opposition to the US and its allies there.

There have been a lot of escalating incidents this 12 months between US and Russian forces who patrol in jap Syria.

The most critical was final month, when officers stated Russian autos sideswiped an light-armoured US army car, injuring 4 Americans.

A US official stated on the time that two Russian helicopters additionally flew above the Americans, and one of many plane was inside about 70 toes (20 meters) of the car.

The deployment of the armoured autos was first reported by NBC News.

Russia, which backs the Syrian authorities, has lengthy opposed American presence within the nation. The Russian Defense Ministry blamed the US for the car collision.

The ministry stated Russia had notified the US-led coalition in regards to the Russian army police convoy’s route and stated the US tried to dam the Russian patrol.

The 4 American service members injured within the crash acquired concussions. US troops are often accompanied by members of the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces on the patrols, they usually have stayed within the area to root out remaining Islamic State insurgents.

The crash final month happened close to Dayrick, in northeast Syria, the place Russian troops ought to usually not be current. National Security Council spokesman John Ullyot stated the US patrol left the realm “to deescalate the situation.”    

While there have been a number of different current incidents between the American and Russian troops in jap Syria, officers have described the August crash as essentially the most regarding.

This is the second time that Bradleys have been despatched into Syria. They had been used final October in operations with US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces in missions to defeat the remnants of the Islamic State group and defend oil fields in that space.

The Bradley models are from the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armoured Division, based mostly at Fort Bliss, Texas.

“The mechanised infantry assets will help ensure the force protection of coalition forces in an increasingly complex operating environment in northeast Syria,” stated Col. Wayne Marotto, spokesman for the US-led coalition.

“The Coalition forces remain steadfast in our commitment of ensuring the enduring defeat of Daesh.” — AP