Posted on 06/19/2017 11:40:21 AM PDT by Enlightened1
U.S. pilots over Syria will defend themselves if attacked by Russians, a Pentagon spokesman said Monday, following a report that Russia will treat U.S. or coalition aircraft as targets if they fly over areas in western Syria controlled by Russia.
The Russian Defense Ministry made the threat Monday after a U.S. F/A-18E Super Hornet shot down a Syrian Su-22 after that plane bombed U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces that are working with the U.S. to defeat the Islamic State on Sunday.
"Any aircraft, including planes and drones of the international coalition, detected in the operation areas west of the Euphrates River by the Russian air forces will be followed by Russian ground-based air defense and air defense aircraft as air targets," the Defense Ministry said.
"We are aware of the Russian statements," Navy Capt. Jeff Davis, a Pentagon spokesman, said Monday morning. "We do not seek conflict with any party in Syria other than ISIS, but we will not hesitate to defend ourselves or our partners if threatened," Davis said.
A spokesman for the U.S.-led coalition said the Russian statement has had no effect on the operations in support of U.S.-backed Syrian fighters moving against ISIS in Raqqa in western Syria.
"Coalition aircraft continue to conduct operations throughout Syria, targeting ISIS forces and providing air support for coalition partner forces on the ground," said Col. Ryan Dillon, chief U.S. military spokesman in Baghdad.
He also appeared to indicate the U.S. is avoiding the parts of Syria where Russia said U.S. planes would be tracked as potential targets or providing additional airpower to counter threats.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonexaminer.com ...
These Deep State idiots want a war with Russia!
Do they really think they can win a thermo nuclear war?
This is pure insanity!
Sure, why not? We have soooooo many vital interests in Syria that are worth nuclear war toe to toe with the Rooskies.
Navy Pilots everywhere deeply appreciate this mans attempts to have them targeted.
>>Someone needs to ask this Navy Captain who told him to say that?
Pentagon spokesman. A man who probably thinks that women and gays are a great improvement on a submarine. The Deep State is strong in the Pentagon.
[ These Deep State idiots want a war with Russia!
Do they really think they can win a thermo nuclear war?
This is pure insanity! ]
John McCain and Hillary “Wipe it with a cloth” Clinton both wanted war with Russia.
The Democrats might just get their wish.
Again why are we backing the Syrian rebels? Its insane! Where do they think ISIS started? The rebels are killing the Syrian Christians not Assad.
It is. I swear, DR. STRANGELOVE is coming true.
We mock crazy Muslims & their 72 virgins or whatever. But we have a death cult right here, mongering permanent war for its own sake. And if you speak out about it, YOU are called "crazy".
I can understand arguing the Syrian policy is problematic, but given that it is the policy in process, the order to defend ourselves is as it should be.
I wonder how many defense stocks McCain/warhawks own??
Navy Capt. Jeff Davis, a Pentagon spokesman, said Monday morning. “We do not seek conflict with any party in Syria other than ISIS,:
HORSESH*T
what are our fine, wonderful USAF pilots doing in Syria?
Exactly. There are no winners in a nuclear war.
If I wanted a failed neocon foreign policy, I'd have voted for Jeb Bush (or Hillary Clinton).
This bullshit needs to end.
Why are we going to war with Russia? Why is Trump allowing this idiocy?
I hope it's not to prove the collusion BS is wrong. I don't think he's that shallow. Could he be?
This is about Iran and their desire to get the Syrian oil fields below Raqqa and along the Euphrates after ISIS is destroyed. Gen Jack Keane spoke about this subject this morning on Fox and Friends.
Probably not in a big way, but I suppose it is possible he thinks he could go to war with them just in a little way, like being a little bit pregnant.
The Deep State is driving Trump into their Russian War. That is the real reason behind the false Russian Collusion and Obstruction cases. They are threatening to remove Trump if he wont go along with their war.
I know, let’s run away if Russia barks.
That will fix everything.
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