Despite the implementation of so-called “deconfliction” measures since the beginning of Moscow’s military intervention in Syria, the cohabitation in the Syrian airspace between the Russian Air Forces and the US-led anti-jihadist coalition forces (Operation Inherent Resolve – OIR) has become increasingly complicated.
The US and its coalition activities in Syria are considered illegal by many countries, including Syria. Most of the weapons being supplied to Syrian rebel organisations fighting against the government of Bashar al-Assad at the behest of Saudi Arabia and Qatar are headed for Islamic extremists rather than the more moderate opposition parties that the West is attempting to support. According to most estimates, the number of American soldiers now stationed in Syria is approximately 900. This estimate does not include special forces or contractors appointed by the US. In addition to this, Syria has frequently accused the United States of stealing oil.
In recent weeks, and particularly after Russia invaded Ukraine, the United States Central Command (US CENTCOM), which is the American military command for the Middle East and Central Asia, has regularly voiced its concern over what it views as the risky behaviour of Russian pilots near its troops and planes. As a result, the Pentagon has decided to send F-22A Raptor air dominance aircraft to the region to serve as a deterrence.
Nevertheless, it appears that this policy did not have the intended effect. MQ-9 Reaper Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) drones were “harassed” by Russian Su-35 aircraft in July as they were engaged in a mission against a leader of the Islamic State (ISIL or Daesh).
And it’s not just American planes involved in events like this one. On July 6, the Joint Staff of the French Armed Forces (EMA) claimed that two Rafale aircraft that were participating in Operation Chammal (France’s contribution to OIR) were forced to respond to the “unprofessional behaviour” of a Russian Su-35.
A Russian Su-35 approached an American MC-12 reconnaissance aircraft while it was engaged in operations supporting the coalition’s effort against ISIL. This approach was contrary to established norms and protocols, and it jeopardised the lives of the four crew members, according to a report issued by the United States Central Command (US CENTCOM) the previous week. During another incident in May, a Polish Border Guard L-410 Turbolet aircraft had a similar run-in over the Black Sea while working a mission for the European agency FRONTEX.
On July 23, though, a new level was reached. The commander of the United States Central Command Air Forces, General Alex Grynkewich, has accused Russian Su-35 aircraft of purposefully damaging an MQ-9 Reaper engaged in combat operations against ISIL in Syria.
Flares were launched by one of the Su-35s while it was only a few metres away from the American drone, and one of the flares struck the drone’s propeller. The commander of AFCENT reassured his team that the MQ-9 crew could maintain control and safely return the aircraft to its base.
The Pentagon has made the footage and still pictures from the event public.
It has been observed that one of the payloads that the MQ-9 Reaper was transporting appeared blurry. This may be a new type of sensor or a missile, the specifics of which are intended to be kept from the general public.
General Grynkewich remarked that the reckless disregard for flight safety displayed by the Russian pilot weakened the goal of achieving the lasting defeat of the Islamic State. He urged the Russian troops in Syria to stop this reckless, unprovoked, and unprofessional behaviour right away.
Another American MQ-9 met a different end in March of the previous year when it was brought down by a Russian Su-27 and caused to crash into the waters of the Black Sea after being intercepted and collided with by the Russian aircraft.
These occurrences reflect the difficult and complex situation in Syrian airspace, where the activities of the US coalition and Russians have created worries about flight safety and posed obstacles to civilians.
