US Discussions on Military Option in Syria Continue Despite Russia’s Warning

Department of State spokesperson John Kirby said that the United States is still considering military options in Syria despite Russia’s warning against such actions.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The United States is still considering military options in Syria despite Russia’s warning against such actions, US Department of State spokesperson John Kirby said in a briefing on Thursday.

"I have seen the comments out of Moscow — those comments notwithstanding, that conversation inside the US government continues," Kirby stated when asked about US discussions on military options.

Earlier, Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov warned the US-led coalition against attacking Syria’s army.

Last week, media reports claimed that US officials were contemplating the possibility of US airstrikes on Syrian military air bases and boosting support for the opposition.

When pressed on how the United States perceived Konashenkov’s comments, Kirby claimed that the warning against US kinetic activity in Syria was not "helpful" to resolving the situation in Syria.

Kirby added that nobody within the US government wants to see tensions escalate between Moscow and Washington.

Russia has deployed S-300 and S-400 air defense systems to Syria to protect the Hmeimim and Tartus military bases, according to the Russian Defense Ministry.