(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) WASHINGTON, May 24 (KUNA) -- The US and Russian military have had to increase its communications by letting the other know where it is operating in order to avoid any air collision over Syria.
"We have had to increase the amount of de-confliction work we're doing with the Russians given the tighter airspace that we're now working ourselves through," said Commander of the US Air Force Central Command Jeffrey Harrigian.
"Rather, it's an operation that we discuss with the Russians to ensure that as we prosecute different portions of the different areas that we are working across Syria, that we have appropriately de-conflicted with the Russians," Harrigian clarified.
The US has also set up "temporary" de-confliction zones around Syria that restricts operations by Russia and its allies in these locations so American and US-backed forces don't get hit.
"Wherever the enemy's at, wherever they present themselves, we're going to get after them," said Harrigian.
Although the US does not give Russia specifics, it notifies where it is going to attack so "we can portray that to them in a manner that allows us to continue our attack on the enemy, and gives us the freedom of movement we need to ensure that where the enemy presents itself, we're able to get after them," he said.
Last week, a group of regime troops appeared near such zone in southern Syria, and was attacked by the US after it set of several warning shots to leave the area.
"This strike should make it clear to all that coalition air power will be used when our ground forces are threatened," said Harrigian. (end) ak.mb
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