US warns Russia, S-300 deployment in Syria ‘a major mistake’
On Monday, 24 September, 2018, US’ National Security Advisor, John Bolton said that Russia’s decision to deploy new S-300 missile system in Syria will be a ‘major mistake’. NSA Bolton said that US forces are present in that area.
Earlier on Monday, Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said in a televised statement that Russian President Vladimir Putin has taken decision to deploy modern S-300 air defence system in Syrian military within two weeks.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters, “According to information of our military experts, the reasons (behind the downing) were premeditated actions by Israeli pilots which certainly cannot but harm our relations”.
#Moscow to send S-300 anti-aircraft missile system to #Syria – #Shoigu pic.twitter.com/ZMCp7Uw02w
— Ruptly (@Ruptly) September 24, 2018
The decision is one of the response measure after Russian military plane was downed last week during the time when missile attack was carried out on Syria’s port city ‘Latakia’ by four Israeli fighter planes.
Russia accused Israel indirectly for downing its military plane and vowed for response. Russia said that after missile attack on Latakia in Syria, Israeli jets took cover of Russian military plane, that was in the area of operation, and Russian plane came in the fire of anti aircraft missile of Syria. After the incident President Putin said that Russia will take the steps that everyone will notice.
In response to Russia’s decision to deploy S-300 missile system, US’ NSA John Bolton said, “We think introducing the S-300s to the Syrian government would be a significant escalation by the Russians and something that we hope, if these press reports are accurate, they would reconsider”.
#Russia making ‘major mistake’ by giving #Syria S-300 air defense system: Bolton @AmbJohnBolton
Read more: https://t.co/HiEOTxTywH pic.twitter.com/7uYVwfFE0j
— Press TV (@PressTV) September 25, 2018
He said, “We have American forces in the area we’re concerned about”.
He added, “The Israelis have a legitimate right to self-defence against this Iranian aggressive behavior, and what we’re all trying to do is reduce tensions, reduce the possibility of major new hostilities. That’s why the president has spoken to this issue and why we would regard introducing the S-300 as a major mistake”.
Russia is main ally of Syria along with Iran and Turkey and have pledged to eliminate all terrorist groups from the soil of war torn Syria.
