Pentagon Spokesman: Russia's Deployment Of S-400 Has Not Impacted U.S. Military Operations In Syria And Iraq

Stars and Stripes: Pentagon: Russian anti-aircraft systems in Syria a concern but not a threat

WASHINGTON — An undeterred U.S.-led coalition in Syria has conducted at least 13 airstrikes against Islamic State targets since Russia deployed advanced anti-aircraft missile systems to the war-torn country last week.

“So far it’s not had any impact on our operations, but it’s certainly something we are aware of,” Pentagon spokesman Navy Capt. Jeff Davis said Monday.

The Russians said they moved S-400 surface-to-air missile systems to their Latakia air base on the country’s west coast Nov. 25 in response to a Turkish F-16 shooting down a Russian Su-24 jet one day earlier on the Syria-Turkey border.

The Russians also announced they would arm their aircraft with air-to-air missiles, a development also confirmed by Davis on Monday. But the Pentagon said it did not expect such weaponry to thwart its ability to bomb Islamic State militants.

WNU Editor: Say what they want, but apparently there has been a pause .... No US airstrikes in Syria since Russia deployed S-400 systems (RT).