Russia, Syria to launch joint military drill on July 5: MoD

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
4 Jul 2023 23:33
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Rear Adm. Oleg Gurinov raised concerns that the US-led coalition is continuing to violate deconfliction protocols by flying "coalition" UAVs over northern Syria.

Soldiers of the Syrian 25th division east of Aleppo preparing for a drill, June 2023 (Social Media)

The deputy head of the Russian Center for the Reconciliation of Opposing Sides in Syria, Rear Adm. Oleg Gurinov, said on Tuesday that joint military exercises which will involve Russian and Syrian forces are set to begin on July 5 in Syria.

On the agenda, the troops will be instructed on actions of the aviation, air defense, and electronic warfare forces and means of repelling air strikes.

25th SMF Div. paaratropers during training today pic.twitter.com/QaE9LzjxVR
— Bosni (@Bosni_94) July 4, 2023

"Joint Russian-Syrian exercises will begin in Syria starting July 5 and will last 6 days. During the exercises, it is planned to work out issues of joint actions of the aviation, means of air defense, and electronic warfare forces in repelling air attacks," Gurinov told a briefing.

On another note, Gurinov raised concerns that the US-led coalition is continuing to violate deconfliction protocols by flying "coalition" UAVs over northern Syria.

"The Russian side once again expresses concern about the systematic violations of deconfliction protocols related to the flights of unmanned aerial vehicles of the 'International Anti-Terrorist Coalition' in the airspace over the northern regions of Syria. Nine cases of violations were recorded during the day," Gurinov told a briefing.

Gurinov further noted that an increase in the number of flight protocol violations would result in an escalation of tensions and that the actions of the "coalition" have a negative impact on mutual and constructive cooperation.

The Russian side is not responsible for the safety of uncoordinated flights of unmanned aerial vehicles, Gurinov added.

During the month of June, the coalition violated flight safety rules 315 times.