WASHINGTON — A U.S. drone strike killed an Islamic State group chief in Syria hours after the identical MQ-9 Reaper drones had been harassed by Russian army jets over the western a part of the nation, in line with the Defense Department.

Three Reapers had been flying overhead looking for the militant on Friday, a U.S. protection official stated, after they had been harassed for about two hours by Russian plane. Shortly after that, the drones struck and killed Usamah al-Muhajir, who was driving a bike within the Aleppo area, stated the official, who was not licensed to publicly talk about the matter and spoke on situation of anonymity to explain particulars of the army operation.

The official stated al-Muhajir was in northwest Syria on the time of the strike, however that he normally operated within the east.

It was not instantly clear how the U.S. army confirmed that the particular person killed was al-Muhajir; no different particulars had been offered.

In a press release Sunday, U.S. Central Command stated there aren't any indications any civilians had been killed within the strike. The army was assessing experiences a civilian could have been injured.

Friday was the third day in a row that U.S. officers complained that Russian fighter jets within the area had carried out unsafe and harassing flights round American drones.

Lt. Gen. Alex Grynkewich, head of U.S. Air Forces Central Command, stated in a press release that through the Friday encounter, the Russian planes “flew 18 unprofessional close passes that caused the MQ-9s to react to avoid unsafe situations.”

The first friction occurred Wednesday morning when Russian army plane “engaged in unsafe and unprofessional behavior” as three American MQ-9 drones had been conducting a mission in opposition to IS, the U.S. army stated. On Thursday, the U.S. army stated Russian fighter plane flew “incredibly unsafe and unprofessionally” in opposition to each French and U.S. plane over Syria.

Col. Michael Andrews, Air Forces Central Command spokesman, stated the Thursday incident lasted virtually an hour and included shut fly-bys, by one SU-34 and one SU-35 and that they deployed flares instantly into the MQ-9.

U.S. officers stated the drones had been unarmed within the earlier flights, however had been carrying weapons on Friday, as they had been searching al-Muhajir.

“We have made it clear that we remain committed to the defeat of ISIS throughout the region,” stated Gen. Erik Kurilla, commander of U.S. Central Command, within the assertion.

Rear Adm. Oleg Gurinov, head of the Russian Reconciliation Center for Syria, stated this previous week that the Russian and Syrian militaries had began a six-day joint coaching that ends Monday.

Gurinov added in feedback carried by Syrian state media that Moscow was involved concerning the flights of drones by the U.S.-led coalition over northern Syria, calling them “systematic violations of protocols” designed to keep away from clashes between the 2 militaries.

Copyright © 2023 The Washington Times, LLC.

Content Source: www.washingtontimes.com