Russia to Treat US Planes in Syria as ‘Targets’

Russia says it will now treat all U.S. led coalition planes in the air over Syria, west of the Euphrates, as targets after an American fighter jet shot down a Syrian military plane.

In a statement Monday, the Russian military also said it is suspending use of a hotline that that was set up to prevent any accidental military engagement.

“The command of the coalition forces did not use the established communication channel for preventing incidents in Syrian airspace,” the Russian military alleged, a day after a U.S. fighter jet shot down a Syrian plane for bombing U.S.-backed fighters battling Islamic State.

The Pentagon said Sunday a Syrian SU-22 dropped bombs on Coalition-partnered fighters near the town of Tabqah.

A U.S. Super Hornet immediately responded and shot down the Syrian plane. There is no word on the pilot or any other casualties.

Earlier, Syrian forces attacked Coalition fighters in Ja’Din, wounding a number of fighters and driving them from the town. Coalition aircraft stopped the pro-regime forces from advancing on Ja’Din.

The Coalition said it contacted Russian commanders to set up a “de-confliction line” to prevent the fighting from worsening.

The Pentagon says says its actions Sunday were within the rules of engagement and collective self-defense of Coalition forces.

“The Coalition does not seek to fight the Syrian regime, Russian, or pro-regime forces, but will not hesitate to defend Coalition or partner forces from any threat,” it said.

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