Pentagon considers US-Russia deconfliction line effective

The US considers the interaction between Russian and US defense ministries for preventing conflicts in Syria’s airspace as an effective mechanism and is confident that the coalition can always communicate with the Russian side to ensure the safety of aircrews and operations, a spokesman for Inherent Resolve (a military operation conducted in Iraq and Syria by a group of countries led by the US) told TASS on Monday.

"We've seen the same press reports regarding Russian statements on de-confliction in Syria. The Coalition is always available to de-conflict with the Russians to ensure the safety of Coalition aircrews and operations. The de-confliction line has proven effective at mitigating strategic miscalculations and de-escalating tense situations," he noted.

The Russian Defense Ministry earlier reported that, starting from June 19, Russia would suspend the memorandum on preventing flight incidents and air safety support during military operations in Syria. These steps followed the coalition’s decision to shoot down a Syrian warplane near Raqqa.
[tass.com]
19/6/17
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