U.S. Considering Military Options Against Russia for "Complicating" Anti-ISIS Efforts in Syria

The United States is reportedly considering conducting military options to counter growing Russian activity in the skies over Syria.

A Pentagon spokesman told the Associated Press (AP) the actions of Russian aviation "complicated efforts to strike the leader of the Islamic State group last weekend.”

He said Russian military activity stems from increased cooperation, coordination, planning and intelligence sharing between Moscow, Tehran and the Syrian government.

The official said “the U.S. does not believe that Russian aircraft are planning to drop bombs on American troops or shoot down manned aircraft." However, they have concerns that Russian pilots may shoot down Reaper drones, and "Moscow believes that such actions will not receive a serious military response from the United States."

Oleg Gurinov, deputy head of the Russian Center for the Reconciliation of Warring Parties in Syria, alleged recently that in the first half of 2023, 1,602 violations of Syrian airspace were recorded by the U.S. coalition in the Et-Tanf region, Interfax reported.

In July, the U.S. released a video footage claiming Russian Su-35 jets ‘harassed’ its MQ-9 Reaper drones over Syrian airspace. Moscow said it intercepted American drones for ‘violating’ airspace during exercises. A similar incident involving F-16s followed soon after.

Russia and Syria are conducting exercises since the beginning of this month to "secure Syrian airspace" amidt overflights by U.S. and coalition aircraft without permission of the Damascus regime.