US warns Russia over missile defence for Syria
Posted Sep 24, 2018 11:38:38 AM.
Last Updated Sep 24, 2018 12:21:18 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
NEW YORK, N.Y. – The Trump administration is warning Russia that supplying Syria with an advanced missile defence system would be a “major mistake” and should be reconsidered. It also says U.S. forces will not leave Syria until Iran leaves.
National security adviser John Bolton said Monday that delivery of the Russian S-300 would be a “significant escalation” in already high tensions in the region.
Russia announced earlier Monday that it would give Syria’s government more modern, S-300 missile defence systems after last week’s downing of a Russian plane by Syria in a friendly fire incident. The military’s reconnaissance Il-20 was shot down by the Syrian government missile defence systems responding to an Israeli airstrike.
Russia laid the blame on Israel, saying Israeli fighter jets had pushed the plane into Syria’s line of fire.
