WASHINGTON — A Russian fighter jet flew very near a U.S. surveillance plane over Syria, forcing it to undergo the turbulent wake and placing the lives of the 4 American crew members in peril, U.S. officers stated Monday.

The officers stated the incident, which occurred simply earlier than midday EDT on Sunday, was a major escalation in what has been a string of encounters between U.S. and Russian plane in Syria in latest weeks. The intercept by the Russian Su-35 impeded the U.S. crew’s capability to securely function their MC-12 plane, the officers stated, calling it a brand new degree of unsafe habits that would lead to an accident or lack of life.

In latest weeks, Russian fighter jets have repeatedly harassed U.S. unmanned MQ-9 drones, however the newest incident raised alarms as a result of it endangered American lives.

The officers, who spoke on situation of anonymity to debate particulars of a navy operation, wouldn't say how shut the Russian jet received to the U.S. warplane. The MC-12, which is a twin-engine turboprop plane routinely utilized by particular operations forces, was doing surveillance in assist of operations in opposition to the Islamic State teams in Syria, the officers stated.

On a number of events up to now two weeks, Russian fighter jets flew dangerously near MQ-9 Reapers, setting off flares and forcing the drones to take evasive maneuvers. U.S. and Russian navy officers talk incessantly over a deconfliction telephone line through the encounters, protesting the opposite facet’s actions.

The U.S. is contemplating numerous navy choices to handle the rising Russian aggression within the skies over Syria, which sophisticated efforts to strike an Islamic State group chief earlier this month, based on a senior protection official. The U.S. was ultimately capable of launch a strike and kill the militant.

The official, who additionally spoke on situation of anonymity to debate navy operations, declined to element the choices into account, however stated the U.S. won't cede any territory and can proceed to fly within the western a part of the nation on anti-Islamic State missions.

The Russian navy exercise, which has elevated in frequency and aggression since March, stems from rising cooperation and coordination between Moscow, Tehran and the Syrian authorities to attempt to stress the U.S. to depart Syria.

There are about 900 U.S. forces within the nation, and others transfer out and in to conduct missions focusing on Islamic State group militants.

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