Russia Threatens to Treat US Jets in Syria as Targets

Following the downing of a Syrian jet by an American plane, Russia has said it will treat U.S. warplanes flying in parts of Syria where its own air force is operating as targets, The Independent reported on Monday.

The Russian Defense Ministry also said due to the incident, it was suspending a hotline between Russia and the U.S. that was established to avoid mid-air collisions.

Communications between the two sides also were cut off in April after the U.S. launched 50 Tomahawk cruise missiles at a Syrian air base in response to a suspected chemical weapons attack, although the U.S. and Russia agreed to resume the hotline last month, according to the BBC.

The incident was the first time the U.S. has engaged in air-to-air combat in Syria, according to ABC News.

The U.S. said the Syrian fighter jet was shot down after it dropped bombs near American-backed forces.

A statement released by U.S. Central Command explained that the jet was shot down "in accordance with rules of engagement and in collective self-defense of Coalition partnered forces… The Coalition's mission is to defeat ISIS in Iraq and Syria. The Coalition does not seek to fight Syrian regime, Russian, or pro-regime forces partnered with them, but will not hesitate to defend Coalition or partner forces from any threat."

Time pointed out that throughout eastern Syria, the United States is competing with Damascus for control of territory seized from ISIS.

Sam Heller, an analyst at The Century Foundation, told the magazine that [Bashar al-]Assad's attack near coalition-backed forces that led to the Syrian jet being shot down, is a sign he aims to disrupt the U.S.-led campaign in eastern Syria.

• US Says It Downed Syrian Warplane That Attacked US-Backed Fighters
• Syria, Iraq Troops Link at Border for First Time in Years