Russia suspends coordination with US in Syria, may target US planes

AP quotes Russia’s defense ministry saying it is suspending coordination with the United States in Syria over so-called “de-confliction zones” after the Americans downed a Syrian government fighter jet.

The United States and Russia, which has been providing air cover for Syrian government forces since 2015 in their offensive against the Islamic State group, have a standing agreement that should prevent in-the-air incidents involving American and Russian jets engaged in operations in Syria.

The Russian defense ministry says in a statement on Monday that it is suspending the deal after the US military confirms that it downed a Syrian Air Force fighter jet on Sunday after it dropped bombs near US partner forces.

The ministry says it views the incident as Washington’s “deliberate failure to make good on its commitments” under the de-confliction deal.

According to Reuters, the statement goes on to say that Russia would, in the wire service’s words, “view as targets any flying objects over Syria in the areas of the country where its air forces operate.”