Russia’s military presence in Syria has become “more aggressive” since its invasion of Ukraine, Lt. Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, commander of US Air Forces Central, said at the Air & Space Forces Association conference on September 19, 2022.
No more phone calls
Russian transport and combat aircraft have flown near the Al-Tanf garrison in southeast Syria, where US forces work with Syrian partners against the Islamic State group, and into eastern Syria without notifying US commanders as they had in the past. “They would at least give us a phone call. They stopped giving us that phone call now,” Grynkewich said, adding that Russia showed “a disregard for our presence at Al-Tanf.”
Rebuilding reputations
He suggested the change was linked to Russian commanders who had served in Ukraine. “To me, it’s very, very concerning. I believe that some of those Russian leaders are trying to rebuild their reputation,” he said.
Avoiding escalation
The US and Russian militaries maintain a deconfliction line in Syria, and US aircraft enter Russian-influenced areas only after notifying Russian commanders, Grynkewich said. “We are not here to escalate. We are not here to make the situation worse than it is,” he said.
Russia has supported Syrian President Bashar al-Assad militarily since 2015, but has moved some forces and equipment from Syria to support its war in Ukraine.
Sources
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