A Russian fighter jet flew dangerously close to a U.S. drone over Syria, firing flares and striking the American aircraft, causing severe damage, according to the U.S. military.

This incident marks the latest in a series of aggressive intercepts by Russia in the region, raising concerns about escalating tensions between the two countries. The U.S. Air Forces Central commander, Lt Gen Alex Grynkewich, condemned the Russian forces' behavior, calling it "reckless, unprovoked, and unprofessional".

He also highlighted that this was not an isolated incident, as just a week prior, a Russian fighter jet had flown dangerously close to a U.S. surveillance aircraft carrying a crew, putting their lives in danger. The Russian actions have raised questions about the motivation behind these encounters.

While some analysts suggest it may be linked to Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine, others believe it is part of a larger strategy to push U.S. forces out of Syria. Randa Slim, director of the Conflict Resolution and Track II Dialogues Program at the Middle East Institute, explained that there is growing convergence between Russian and Iranian positions, with both countries seeking to limit U.S. presence in Syria.

The Deir Ez-Zor province in eastern Syria has become a hotspot of tension between the U.S., Russia, and Iran. Control of this oil-rich province is divided between Syrian government forces, the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces, and Iranian militias.

This region has previously witnessed confrontations between U.S. forces and Russian mercenaries. Most of the encounters between U.S. and Russian aircraft involve MQ-9 Reaper drones without crew members. However, in the most recent incident, a Russian jet came dangerously close to a U.S. surveillance aircraft with a crew, obstructing their ability to operate safely.

U.S. officials have also reported repeated instances of Russian fighter jets harassing MQ-9 drones, forcing evasive maneuvers. The U.S. and Russian military officers maintain regular communication through a deconfliction phone line during these encounters, protesting each other's actions.

The U.S. has called on Russian forces in Syria to immediately cease their provocative behavior. With approximately 900 U.S. forces in Syria conducting missions against the Islamic State group, the U.S. remains committed to its anti-ISIS operations. However, these escalating encounters with Russian aircraft pose a serious threat to the safety and effectiveness of these missions.