Russian and US Forces Conduct Separate Airstrikes in Syria While Tensions Escalate

As the world’s attention is fixed on Gaza, Russia and the United States have escalated their military activities in Syria, conducting separate airstrikes against different targets. Russian airstrikes in Idlib province reportedly killed 34 rebel fighters and injured 60, targeting groups responsible for artillery attacks on Syrian government positions. Rear Admiral Vadim Kulit, as reported by Interfax, stated that Russia’s Aerospace Forces hit “illegal armed groups” in response to these attacks.

Simultaneously, the United States carried out airstrikes against Iran-backed groups in Syria. US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin confirmed these strikes and indicated that further action might follow if attacks against US forces persist.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported the death of at least eight pro-Iran fighters.

Austin, speaking at a news conference in Seoul, emphasized that the US would not hesitate to protect its troops. This comes amid numerous attacks against US and coalition forces in Syria and Iraq, coinciding with the Israel-Hamas conflict. Both Russian and US operations have drawn criticism for their lack of coordination with each other and potential implications on the already complex Syrian civil war.