U.S. deploys reinforcements to Syria after Russia clashes

PanARMENIAN.Net - The U.S. has ramped up its military presence in Syria after a number of skirmishes with Russian forces intensified tensions in the country, the BBC reports.

U.S. officials said six Bradley Fighting Vehicles and about 100 troops were part of the deployment to north-east Syria.

Incidents between U.S. and Russian forces that patrol that part of the country have escalated this year.

U.S. Navy Captain Bill Urban said the move would "ensure the safety and security of Coalition forces".

He added that, alongside the fighting vehicles, which had been based in Kuwait, the US would also deploy a "Sentinel radar" and increase "the frequency of US fighter patrols over US forces".

"The United States does not seek conflict with any other nation in Syria, but will defend Coalition forces if necessary," Mr Urban, a spokesman for US Central Command, said in a statement on Friday.

Urban did not mention Russia by name, but a separate statement from a U.S. official, first reported by NBC News, was more pointed.

"These actions and reinforcements are a clear signal to Russia to adhere to mutual de-confliction processes and for Russia and other parties to avoid unprofessional, unsafe and provocative actions in north-east Syria," the unnamed U.S. official said.