US occupation jet flies dangerously close to Russian Su-35 in Syria
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The incident was reported on Saturday to the Russian Defense Ministry's Center for Syrian Reconciliation.
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SU-35 fighter jet
A senior Russian military official said Sunday that an F-35 fighter jet belonging to the US-led coalition flew dangerously close to a Russian Su-35 fighter jet near al-Tanf in southeastern Syria.
"Russian pilots acted highly professionally taking timely action to avoid a collision. The coalition's behavior continues to create dangerous aviation conditions and escalate tensions in the Syrian airspace," Rear Adm. Vadim Kulit told a news briefing.
The incident was reported on Saturday to the Russian Defense Ministry's Center for Syrian Reconciliation.
According to the official, the jets reportedly flew at an altitude of 9,000 meters (5.6 miles).
He added that the US-led coalition further violated protocols by flying drones without prior authorization.
Read more: US moves equip. from Iraqi Kurdistan to Syria fortifying occupation
The last time such an incident occurred was on August 14, with two US fighter jets conducting a dangerous maneuver near Russian Su-35 aircraft over southern Syria.
Washington-backed forces currently occupy parts of the provinces of Al-Hasakah, Deir Ezzor, and Raqqa, where the largest Syrian oil and gas fields are located. The US regularly conducts illegal military activities to protect its plundering of the country's resources.
In July, Al Mayadeen sources revealed that the United States is fortifying its occupation bases surrounding the Conoco and Al-Omar gas and oil fields respectively using large reinforcements of its paramilitary proxies as part of its ongoing theft-operations in the north.
Read more: US drones violate closed airspace during Russian-Syrian exercises
