The US Army decided to step up its military deployment in northeastern Syria despite a push to limit its presence there.
In Friday statement, the US Central Command confirmed new deployments in the area, which is controlled by the US and its Kurdish allies, spokesman Captain Bill Urban said.
In fact, the move follows a collision between Russian and American vehicles which left seven American soldiers injured, according to the Middle East Eye.
US Central Command (Centcom) “has deployed Sentinel radar, increased the frequency of US fighter patrols over US forces, and deployed Bradley Fighting Vehicles to augment US forces” in the area, which is controlled by the US and its Kurdish allies, spokesman Captain Bill Urban said in a statement.
Without mentioning Russia, Cpt Urban said the moves were meant “to help ensure the safety and security of Coalition forces,” and that the US “does not seek conflict with any other nation in Syria, but will defend Coalition forces if necessary.”
The number of armoured vehicles sent as reinforcement did not exceed half a dozen, and “less than 100 people” were sent to manoeuvre them, an isider said.
Thus, the new deployments in Syria “are a clear signal to Russia to adhere to mutual de-confliction processes and for Russia and other parties to avoid unprofessional, unsafe and provocative actions in northeast Syria.”
US, Russian troops frequently interact in Syria
Last October, President Donald Trump have tried to recall all US troops from Syria, before agreeing to leave a few hundred to protect oil wells. At the end of August, seven American soldiers were injured in a collision with a Russian vehicle.
Several incidents in recent weeks have pitted the US military against Russian forces now deployed along the Turkish border under a deal signed earlier with Ankara.
Videos posted on Twitter, apparently filmed by witnesses and the Russians themselves, showed Russian armour and helicopters attempting to block American vehicles and then force them out of the area. US and Russian troops frequently interact in Syria, but confrontations have been rare.
