The seven soldiers suffered “minor injuries and muscle strains similar to car crashes,” Urban said. All have returned to service.
Pentagon spokesman Jonathan Hoffman also accused Russian troops of violating the conclusion of the agreement and wounding American opponents with “deliberately provocative and aggressive behavior.”
“We have advised the Russians that their behavior was dangerous and unacceptable,” Hoffman said. “We expect a return to routine and professional deconstruction in Syria and reserve the right to vigorously defend our forces if their security is endangered.”
Videos of the meeting between Russian and coalition armored vehicles emerged Wednesday on social media.
The US military statements, which came two days after the incident, contrast strongly with Russian accounts. In a phone call with Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Mark Milley, Russian Chief of General Staff Russian General Valery Gerasimov accused U.S. troops of the incident, and claimed that U.S. troops were trying to block a Russian patrol “in violation of existing agreements,” according to an early Facebook post Thursday. the Russian Embassy.
During the interview, Gerasimov told Milley that coalition commanders had been informed in advance about the passage of the Russian army through the area, according to the post.
Gerasimov accused the U.S. military of violating existing agreements and informed Milley that U.S. officials were trying to block the Russian patrol, which “took every step necessary to prevent the incident and continue with its mission.”
A Pentagon spokesman said Wednesday that Milley spoke with his Russian counterpart, but did not disclose details about the conversation.
In a statement, National Security Council spokesman John Ullyot condemned the Russian actions as “unsafe and unprofessional”, saying they “represent a breach of the conflict protocols committed to the United States and Russia in December 2019.”
“The coalition and the United States do not seek escalation with national military forces, but American troops always retain the inherent right and obligation to defend themselves against hostile acts,” Ullyot said.
U.S. lawmakers slammed the Trump administration’s handling of the incident Wednesday. Senator Tammy Duckworth, a Democratic member of the Armed Services Committee, called on the president to “speak out against Vladimir Putin and demand answers as to why his troops are harassing and wounding our troops in Syria.”
In a joint statement issued Wednesday, a group of lawmakers from the House urged the Pentagon and the White House to “clearly communicate to the highest level of the Russian government and army that actions such as these will not be tolerated.” “
