WASHINGTON: Russia’s entry into the crowded and sometimes uncoordinated air wars in Syria is making the US increasingly nervous, reflecting concern at the Pentagon and in Europe about the risk of accidents or unintended conflict.

The Russians sent word on Tuesday that they are willing to resume talks on ways to avoid warplanes running into each other, or firing upon one another, in the skies over Syria.

Earlier in the day, US Defence Secretary Ash Carter called on Russian defence officials to contact the Pentagon immediately to further discuss Moscow’s escalating military activities in Syria.

American and Russian defence officials had their first conversation about the issue last week.

The Nato alliance on Monday denounced Russia for “irresponsible behaviour” for allowing its warplanes to twice cross into Turkish airspace, once on Saturday and once on Sunday. Turkey warned that any future aerial intruder would be treated like an enemy. The Russians acknowledged having intruded once on Saturday, calling it accidental, but denied doing it again on Sunday.

White House spokesman Josh Earnest said the US was “quite concerned” by Russia’s action, describing it as a provocation.

“Given the stakes and sensitivity around the Russian military action in that region of the world, I think our concerns are well-founded,” Earnest said.

The situation in Syria is unlike any in recent memory, with multiple air forces bombing a variety of targets, sometimes at cross purposes, and with no single mechanism for command and control. Russia’s role is especially tricky for the US and its coalition partners, in part because its political aims in Syria are at odds with Washington’s.

Washington is leading an international coalition, not including Russia, focused on defeating the Islamic State group, not directly hitting Syrian forces.

Moscow says it is bombing the Islamic State group in line with US priorities, but the US says Russia is mainly striking anti-government rebels in support of its ally, President Bashar Assad, whose own air force also is on the attack.

The Russians, who are not coordinating with the Americans, reportedly also have hit at least one US-supported rebel group. That opens the possibility, however unlikely, of the Americans and Russians coming to blows.

Russian officials say they have more than 50 warplanes and helicopters taking part in the open-ended air operations. They are flying 20 to 25 missions a day in Syria, compared to an average of about eight per day by the US-led coalition.

In addition to its air campaign, Russia has brought ground combat weaponry into western Syria, according to US officials. This includes a small number of artillery pieces and a multiple-launch rocket system called the Smerch moved in recent days to the vicinity of Hama, southeast of the coastal air base where Russia has staged most of its aircraft, a US defence official said.

Published in Dawn, October 7th, 2015

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