Russia has warned U.S. military officials repeatedly in the last week that it may launch an attack against suspected ISIS fighters attack near where U.S. troops are stationed, according to a report.
The prospect of a Russian assault, which would be aided by forces from Syrian President Bashar Assad’s regime, is “concerning” to U.S. defense officials because American personnel could be drawn into a conflict should Russian aircraft or warships based off the Mediterranean coast not be precise in a missile attack, CNN reported Thursday.
The area is close to a U.S.-led anti-ISIS coalition base at At Tanf, an exclusion zone to the southeast, close to the borders of Syria, Jordan, and Iraq.
“We have absolutely advised them to stay out of At Tanf,” one U.S. official told CNN. “We are postured to respond.”
The CNN report follows President Trump telling Assad not to collaborate with Russia and Iran on a joint offensive operation in the country’s northwestern province of Idlib, a mostly rebel-held territory.
“President Bashar al-Assad of Syria must not recklessly attack Idlib Province. The Russians and Iranians would be making a grave humanitarian mistake to take part in this potential human tragedy,” Trump wrote on Twitter Monday. “Hundreds of thousands of people could be killed. Don’t let that happen!”
President Bashar al-Assad of Syria must not recklessly attack Idlib Province. The Russians and Iranians would be making a grave humanitarian mistake to take part in this potential human tragedy. Hundreds of thousands of people could be killed. Don’t let that happen!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 3, 2018
Russian officials, however, ignored the advice and on Tuesday launched airstrikes against the rebel stronghold, killing at least 12 people, according to the Los Angeles Times.
The Russian government claims Idlib is a “hotbed of terrorism,” ABC News reported. While the U.S. acknowledges some terrorists are sheltered in the area, the place is also home to 3 million civilians.
