The U.S. protested Russia’s bombing this week of U.S.-backed fighters in Syria in a Saturday video conference with Russian military officials that the Pentagon described as an “extraordinary session.”
Defense Secretary Ash Carter was described by aides as furious over the aerial attack Thursday, which continued despite several urgent hotline calls to Russian officials demanding a halt to the bombing runs against a staging area where anti-Islamic State forces had gathered, including some fighters trained and equipped by the U.S.
“Department officials conveyed that Russia’s continued strikes at At-Tanf, even after U.S. attempts to inform Russian forces through proper channels of on-going coalition air support to the counter-ISIL forces, created safety concerns for U.S. and coalition forces,” a statement issued Saturday afternoon said.
The video conference was conducted between Acting Assistant Secretary for International Security Affairs Elissa Slotkin, Lt. Gen. Kenneth McKenzie, Joint Chiefs of Staff panning director, and their Russian counterparts.
“Department officials expressed strong concerns about the attack on the coalition-supported counter-ISIL forces at the At-Tanf garrison, which included forces that are participants in the cessation of hostilities in Syria, and emphasized that those concerns would be addressed through ongoing diplomatic discussions on the cessation of hostilities,” Cook’s statement said.
Pentagon sources said Friday that at least two Russian Su-34 “Fullback” fighter-bombers hit the staging area in southern Syria, a location where Russia had not been active for some time.
The attack targeted forces that included fighters who had been trained and armed by the United States in Jordan and then sent back into Syria to fight the Islamic State.
After the initial strike, the U.S. military used a special hotline that had been established to avoid confrontations to urgently ask the Russian military to stop bombing the U.S.-backed forces. But after the call, Russian planes bombed again, infuriating U.S. officials.
“There are only two explanations,” senior official told the Washington Examiner. “Either poor command and control, or it was intentional.”
The Pentagon statement said, “This extraordinary session was convened under the auspices of the Safety of Flight Memorandum of Understanding, an arrangement between the counter-ISIL coalition and Russian Federation to maintain safety in the air space over Syria.”
The Pentagon demanded a response from Russia.
