Pentagon Describes Russia's Actions in Syria as 'Provocative'

Russian forces in Palmyra, east of Homs (AFP)
Russian forces in Palmyra, east of Homs (AFP)
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Pentagon Describes Russia's Actions in Syria as 'Provocative'

Russian forces in Palmyra, east of Homs (AFP)
Russian forces in Palmyra, east of Homs (AFP)

US military officials have expressed concern about the increased risk of confrontation between US and Russian forces in Syria.

The commander of US Central Command (Centcom), General Erik Kurilla, said in a statement that his regional forces seek to avoid any miscalculated steps that would lead to unnecessary conflict.

"We seek to avoid miscalculation or a set of actions that could lead to unnecessary conflict: that remains our goal," Kurilla said in a statement.

He described Russia's recent actions as "provocative and escalatory," referring to the recent raid on al-Tanf.

The Wall Street Journal quoted Pentagon officials as saying there were fears of a clash with the Russians, accusing the Russian forces of "significant increase in the provocation" this month.

A US military official said that Russia launched a raid on sites in al-Tanf region last Wednesday, near the US base, which manages a mission to train and advise local fighters to combat the resurgence of ISIS.

After Russia informed the US through a communications line that it was carrying out the operation in response to a supposed attack against Syrian government forces, its military aircraft struck "a combat outpost at the garrison," a US military official said.

The official explained that two Russian Su-35 and Su-24 aircraft hit a military site, and although the raid did not target US forces, officials expressed concern that the attack constituted a challenge to the mission of US forces in Syria.

The newspaper reported that Russia sent two Su-34 warplanes to the area where the US forces conducted a raid in northeastern Syria to "apprehend an ISIS bomb maker." However, it quickly withdrew them after US F-16 fighters headed to the area.

US officials also discussed other incidents in the past two weeks without revealing their details.

About 200 US soldiers are stationed at al-Tanf base, out of the 900 soldiers deployed in northeastern Syria.

Russia withdrew several of its forces and military equipment from Syria after it invaded Ukraine, and experts warn of the "vacuum" that Iran could exploit to replace it.

Russia has escalated its interventions in locations close to the deployment of US forces to ensure that it can still carry out military operations in more than one place at the same time.

In 2016, Russian warplanes bombed al-Tanf base after two US Navy F-18 planes on patrol in the area left to refuel. The base was empty of US forces at the time and several Syrian fighters were killed, whom Russia described as terrorists.

In 2017, Russia issued a 48-hour ultimatum for the US to withdraw its personnel from the base, but Washington refused, and nothing happened.

However, the most dangerous incident between the Russian and the US forces was in 2018, after fighters of the Russian "Wagner" group advanced to eastern Syria and fired at the US forces.

They ignored the warnings of the US army, which asked them to leave. US troops then launched an attack against Russian forces, killing "a few hundred," according to former US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

The Russian military announced that it had nothing to do with the incident.



Sources to Asharq Al-Awsat: US Pressing Hard to Secure Gaza Truce Deal

A Palestinian boy searches through garbage in Al-Bureij camp in central Gaza on Monday (AFP)
A Palestinian boy searches through garbage in Al-Bureij camp in central Gaza on Monday (AFP)
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Sources to Asharq Al-Awsat: US Pressing Hard to Secure Gaza Truce Deal

A Palestinian boy searches through garbage in Al-Bureij camp in central Gaza on Monday (AFP)
A Palestinian boy searches through garbage in Al-Bureij camp in central Gaza on Monday (AFP)

Hamas sources have described the ongoing indirect negotiations with Israel in Doha as “more serious” than previous rounds, when they said both Israel and the United States lacked genuine commitment.

One Hamas figure told Asharq Al-Awsat that while it remains difficult to predict the outcome, “there is cautious optimism about a possible breakthrough, especially given the clear American pressure aimed at reaching an agreement soon.”

The talks, which began Sunday evening in the Qatari capital, focus on a potential two-month ceasefire that would halt military operations and secure the release of hostages from Gaza. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has traveled to Washington for meetings with US President Donald Trump.

According to the sources, negotiations have not stalled and are expected to continue for several days. “At least for now, they cannot be described as negative,” one official said. “Mediators are making serious efforts to achieve progress and conclude a deal as quickly as possible.”

If talks continue positively, the sources said an announcement could come as early as Thursday. But they stressed that any breakthrough depends primarily on Israel’s willingness to accept key Palestinian demands, particularly the unrestricted entry of humanitarian aid, a phased withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, and guarantees that the war will end definitively.

The sources declined to specify any obstacles currently impeding talks, preferring to “wait for the outcome in the coming hours or days.”

Hamas negotiators, they said, remain committed to “securing the Palestinian demands submitted as amendments to the latest US proposal drafted by envoy Steve Witkoff.”

“These conditions are essential for a fair ceasefire that gives the people of Gaza hope the war will truly end,” the official added, “and prevents Israel from resuming attacks under any pretext as long as negotiations continue.”

The diplomatic efforts coincide with continued Israeli military escalation in Gaza, where intensive airstrikes have struck apartment blocks, shelters, and aid distribution points. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, the Palestinian death toll has risen to 57,523 since the war began on October 7, 2023.

Israeli ground forces have expanded operations in northern, southern, and western Khan Yunis, advancing further into Gaza City’s Shuja’iyya and Tuffah neighborhoods. In the south, the military is pushing into the Zeitoun district, edging closer to Gaza’s Old City and the Latin Convent, which houses thousands of displaced civilians.

Israel reportedly aims to widen a buffer zone inside Gaza by over a kilometer - an issue it also tried to cement in January’s ceasefire agreement. Hamas is insisting this time on a clear, staged Israeli withdrawal, with agreed timelines and maps, while Israel appears determined to retain positions near the border fence and along the Philadelphi Corridor with Egypt.

Trump said Sunday there was “a good chance” for a Gaza ceasefire agreement “this week” before meeting Netanyahu in Washington. He added the US is also working with Israel on several issues, perhaps including a permanent deal with Iran.

Netanyahu arrived in the US on Monday for talks with Trump, envoy Steve Witkoff, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.