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BEIJING, Oct. 9 (Xinhuanet) -- Both the United States and Russia are now carrying out airstrikes in Syria.
The Pentagon says aircraft of the US-led coalition have been re-routed on at least one occasion to avoid a close encounter with Russian war-planes.
The US Defense Secretary Ash Carter Thursday criticized what he called "increasingly unprofessional behavior from Russian forces" in Syria.
"They have shot cruise missiles from a ship in the Caspian Sea without warning. They have come within just a few miles of one of our unmanned aerial vehicles. They have initiated a joint ground offensive with the Syrian regime, shattering the facade that they are there to fight ISIL. This will have consequences for Russia itself - which is rightfully fearful of attack upon Russia. And I also expect that in coming days, the Russians will begin to suffer casualties in Syria," Carter said.
A senior US defense official told CNN that two F-16 fighter jets were re-routed to remain a safe flying distance from Russian aircraft in recent days.
The US aircraft had to abort striking their target near the ISIL-stronghold of Raqqa province.
The official said since the Russian operation began in Syria, US pilots have been ordered to change their flight path if there is a Russian plane within about 37 kilometers.
This recent incident happened after the first round of talks between the US and Russia on establishing measures to avoid accidents.
This is to prevent warplanes from both forces flying over Syria in the same place at the same time. The two sides have yet to reach an agreement.
(Source: CNTV.cn)
