Russian forces officially entered the fight against ISIS on Wednesday, with president Vladimir Putin ordering his troops to launch airstrikes against what Moscow stated were Islamic State targets. As the attacks were initiated however, the Russian forces did something quite interesting - they promptly asked the United States' forces to get out of their way, reports Western Journalism.
Russia has been bolstering its military presence in Syria during the past weeks in order to support the besieged regime of President Bashar al-Assad. A number of U.S. officials, however, are quite worried by the Russian presence.
John Kirby, U.S. State Department spokesman, has stated that a Russian official in Baghdad has informed the U.S. about Russia's to scramble their fighter jets on Wednesday.
"He further requested that U.S. aircraft avoid Syrian airspace during these missions," the spokesman said, according to The Wall Street Journal.
As the Russian troops fought the Islamic State on Wednesday, it does seem like they wanted to get the American forces out of their way.
"If you have forces in the area we request they leave," a Russian general has allegedly stated to his American counterpart.
U.S. forces in the area did not honor the Russians' request however. A senior Pentagon official has stated that despite Russia's request, the American forces still conducted normal strike operations in Syria on Wednesday.
More news about Russia? Click here.
