"An example of the effectiveness of interaction": the Ministry of Defense evaluated the statement on the "interception" of the US by the Russian general in Syria

The Russian Defense Ministry commented on statements by US officials about the "interception" of the Russian military column in Syria. The incident itself occurred more than a year ago.

“During this period, all parties operating on the earth had to constantly coordinate their actions to avoid conflict situations. Therefore, the case presented by the American representative is a clear example of the effectiveness of the existing channels of interaction between the military of the two countries in Syria, ”the ministry said.

Earlier, on January 23, US Special Representative for Syria James Jeffrey said that between the agreement on the prevention of conflicts between the US and Russian armed forces has been in force for several years, but sometimes “there were hitch”.

“It began about 14 months ago, when the Russians advanced into the southeastern parts of this perimeter. At some point, we intercepted a Russian major general who was traveling in the direction of the city of Manbij. However, all this was sorted out through military channels, ”TASS quoted him as saying.

According to Jeffrey, such incidents are inevitable when the military of different countries act in close proximity to each other. The US Special Representative emphasized that not once did the situation require consideration at the level of state leaders.

As the Russian Ministry of Defense explained, Manbij was under three control at that time: the US-led coalition, Kurdish detachments and Syrian government forces. Moreover, all incidents between the Russian and American military are resolved through existing channels.

“Today in Syria, between the armed forces of the Russian Federation and the United States of America, absolutely normal and professional relations have developed. We know where the American units are located, and on the American side, where the Russian troops operate. Arising cases of uncoordinated actions in places of contact are quickly resolved through existing channels of deconflicting, ”the defense department emphasized.

At the same time, the Russian Ministry of Defense indicated that statements by a number of Pentagon representatives did not help stabilize the situation.

“At the same time, we believe that the artificial aggravation of the situation by individuals of the Pentagon around the working situation while performing patrol tasks does not help to stabilize the situation and only prevents the military from doing their job,” the report said.

The situation in Manbridge

Note that the Russian military police patrol in several provinces of Syria. Including this happens in accordance with the memorandum between Russia and Turkey, concluded on October 22, 2019. However, several patrol routes affect Manbij.

This city, located near the border with Turkey, was occupied by troops of the armed opposition of Syria in 2012. But two years later, the Islamic State * took control of it.

The opposition recaptured him only in 2016 with the support of Kurdish militia units. They were supported by a US-led coalition. The United States also set up its own military base northwest of the city.

Under the control of government forces, Manbridge returned on October 15 last year. This was facilitated by the Turkish operation "Source of Peace" - due to the actions of Ankara, the United States decided to leave the region, and the Kurds made a deal with Damascus and transferred the city to the legitimate government.

Escalation in Idlib

It is worth noting that despite the ongoing process of returning to peaceful life in many regions of the country, the Idlib de-escalation zone remains a stress point. As the officials of the Russian Federation and the SAR have repeatedly noted, the militants of “Hayat Tahrir al-Sham” ** are concentrated in this area.

Terrorists continue to organize attacks from Idlib, to attack civilians and the Khmeimim air base. As noted at the Center for the Reconciliation of Warring Parties and the Control of the Movement of Refugees in Syria (CPVS) of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, in the past few days, the militants have intensified their activity.

Terrorists organize organized attacks on the positions of government forces, trying to break through them, but each time they fail. Russia and Syria are working to remove civilians from the de-escalation zone.

In total, there are three checkpoints located in the provinces of Aleppo, Idlib and Hama. They were opened on January 13 and in a few days about 1.5 thousand people came out through them. However, subsequently, due to a severe aggravation of the situation in the de-escalation zone, the civilian exit ceased.

According to the CPVS on January 25, all checkpoints operate around the clock, they are equipped to provide medical care and transport that takes people to safe areas.

“Checkpoints will operate around the clock. They have equipped places for emergency medical care, drinking water, hot meals, medicines and basic necessities, organized the allocation of vehicles for the delivery of citizens to safe areas, ”the report said.

* “Islamic State” (IG) - the organization was recognized as terrorist by decision of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation of December 29, 2014.

* * “Khayyat Tahrir al-Sham” (“Jabhat Fath al-Sham”, “Front al-Nusra”, “Jabhat al-Nusra”) - the organization was recognized terrorist by decision of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation dated December 29, 2014.