Pentagon Sees No 'Notable Close Air Encounters' With Russians in Syria

Russian and US military pilots have had no significant close encounters in Syria lately, Operation Inherent Resolve spokesman Col. Steve Warren told reporters on Wednesday.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — On Tuesday, US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter said the Russian military has been professionally operating flights in Syria in order to avoid its aircraft coming into conflict with US jets.

"There have not been any notable close air encounters with the Russians recently," Warren stated in a briefing. "We have seen no indications that we have to worry about Russians specifically as it relates to our forces there [in Syria].

In October 2015, Russian and US officials signed a Memorandum of Understanding concerning safety procedures for the two countries’ respective air operations in the country.

Since September 2015, Russia has been conducting an aerial campaign in Syria against the Islamic State (IS or Daesh) at the request of Syrian President Bashar Assad. The terror group has been outlawed by Moscow.

A US-led coalition of some 65 nations has been carrying out airstrikes against the Islamic State in Syria since September 2014, but without the approval of the Syrian government or the UN Security Council.