Conflict of the US and Russian military in Syria: the versions of the parties are very different

An American military vehicle and a Russian armored personnel carrier did not miss each other in northeastern Syria. Several Americans were injured in the collision. The United States and Russia blame each other for what happened. Writes about it with the BBC.

Photo: Shutterstock

Video of the clash of American and Russian militants in Syria

On August 26, 2020, "Russian Spring" published a video taken from the roof of a Russian armored vehicle. The footage shows how armored vehicles with a Russian flag overtake armored vehicles with American flags in the desert. The phrase is heard: "Everything, block."

On Wednesday, August 26, the United States said several of its military personnel were injured in the Syrian incident. According to the American side, a Russian military patrol crashed into their vehicle. Washington categorically condemned Russia's actions and declared a direct violation of the security protocols that were agreed with Moscow.

Although the American vehicles managed to escape the trap, the pursuit continued. As a result of the persecution, the clash occurred. Unfortunately, the video is not currently recorded. A Russian helicopter is watching in the air. Who exactly made the video and gave it to journalists is unknown.

The news of the Syrian situation emerged on Wednesday 26 August. Then the Russian Ministry of Defense said that the American military had been warned in advance of plans to patrol the area.

Official Washington version

The United States National Security Council insists that a Russian Army armored personnel carrier crashed into America's mine action vehicle, causing injuries to the crew.

An undisclosed U.S. military source told the publication Politico that four US Army soldiers received mild concussions. Several other American sources told Reuters that the military injured in Syria have mild concussions.

In Syria, where the conflict occurred, about 500 US Army personnel are serving. They provide military support to the alliance of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which is based on the Kurds.

John Ulliott, a spokesman for the United States National Security Council, said the accident was triggered by the Russian military. According to him, the clash took place around 10:00 am local time on Wednesday, August 26, when a security patrol met with the Russian military near the village of Deirik (northeastern Syria).

Washington strongly condemned the incident, calling it a violation of security protocols agreed with Moscow.

“On Tuesday, Russian troops violated our agreement on the conflict in Syria and injured American troops. This happened as a result of deliberately provocative and aggressive behavior, "- said the chief speaker of the Pentagon Jonathan Hoffman. Writes about it The Hill.

“We told the Russians that their behavior was dangerous and unacceptable,” the speaker added. "We look forward to a return to routine and professional resolution of conflicts in Syria and reserve the right to vigorously defend our forces whenever their security is threatened."

According to officials, the Russian military the helicopter flew quickly and low over the area of ​​the deployment of American troops... This is a trick that the military often uses to disperse people on the ground.

Official version of Moscow

“Despite this, in violation of existing agreements, members of the US Armed Forces attempted to block the Russian patrol. In response to this, the military police of the Russian Armed Forces took the necessary measures to prevent the incident and further fulfill the assigned task,” the Russian Ministry of Defense said in a statement published on the morning of Thursday, August 27.

“During the patrol, after entering the zone of control of the international anti-terrorist coalition, the convoy began to be pursued by two American MRAP armored vehicles. “At the same time, it was established that the road further along the route was blocked by two more American armored vehicles,” the Russian Center for the Reconciliation of Warring Parties in Syria reported.

On Wednesday, August 26, the head of the United States Chiefs of Staff, Mark Milli, discussed the incident with Russian Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov. The latter assured that the leadership of the international anti-terrorist coalition had received information that a convoy of Russian military police would pass through the region.

“During the telephone conversation, the American side was given comprehensive explanations on this situation,” the Russian Ministry of Defense emphasized.

How events developed on the eve of the incident

Despite the fact that Russian-American conflicts in Syria occur quite often, this incident underscores the danger of operations by the troops of both countries in close proximity to each other, as well as the risk of a serious escalation of tensions, Reuters reported.

“To defuse the situation, coalition patrols left the area,” Ullyot said. “The coalition and the United States do not seek escalation with any national military forces, but the U.S. military always retains the inherent right and responsibility to defend itself against hostile action.”

Generally, the United States Armed Forces do not comment on when their military is injured in Syria. In July, there was an accident in the east, when a paratrooper lost his life as a result of a vehicle overturning.

After a significant reduction in the US military contingent in northern Syria, only about 500 troops remained in dangerous zones. US Army Special Forces are taking up positions there to fight the "Islamist State"

Russian troops are also fighting Islamists and supporting the government of Bashar al-Assad. According to Western countries, Russia is helping the Syrian authorities in the fight against armed insurgents.

At the same time, over the past few years, there have been no serious clashes between the military of Russia and the United States in Syria, Politico reports. Serious means those that would lead to casualties. The exception was a serious fight in 2018. Then, from 200 to 300 fighters of the pro-Syrian government forces were killed, including Russian mercenaries from the Wagner PMC.

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