Moscow blames Washington. Russia on Thursday accused the United States of being behind a tense confrontation in Syria in which Russian military vehicles and helicopters surrounded American armored vehicles, injuring American soldiers.
The White House National Security Council (NSC) said in a statement that a Russian vehicle struck an American armored vehicle, "injuring the crew of the vehicle."
"In violation of existing agreements, American soldiers tried to block Russian patrol"
The Russian Defense Ministry issued a statement in which it claims to have warned in advance the anti-Islamic State Coalition, led by the United States, of the displacement of a patrol of its military police.
“Despite this, in violation of existing agreements, the American soldiers tried to block the Russian patrol,” he said, adding that the Russian military police had “taken the necessary measures” to end the incident and continue its mission.
Russian Chief of Staff Valery Gerasimov provided "full explanations" in a telephone conversation with General Mark Milley, who heads the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, Moscow added.
Videos would appear to show the incident
Videos uploaded to Twitter, apparently filmed by witnesses and the Russians themselves, appear to show Russian armor and helicopters attempting to block American vehicles and then force them out of the area in northeastern China. Syria.
Long video from the incident via @ RALee85 where US forces attempt to block a Russian patrol.
"An American MaxxPro MRAP appears to collide with a Russian Typhoon-K MRAP. 319" pic.twitter.com/TBTwSthWhA
In the images, the vehicles appear to collide and at some point a Russian helicopter is flying very low, threateningly, over the American tanks. The NSC or the Pentagon did not specify the number of American soldiers injured in the collision or the severity of their injuries.
NSC spokesman John Ullyot said American vehicles were on patrol as part of the anti-Daesh coalition. He said the American patrol had left the scene in order to defuse the situation and avoid any risk of direct confrontation. “Dangerous and unprofessional actions like this are a violation of the deconfliction protocols, established by the United States and Russia in December 2019,” he added.
“The coalition and the United States do not seek confrontation with any national military force, but the American forces always retain the right and the obligation to defend themselves against hostile actions,” he said. US and Russian troops are often in contact in Syria, but clashes have been rare.
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