US Troops in Syria Injured in Encounter with Russian Military Convoy

Reuters on Wednesday reported that a small number of U.S. troops were injured during an incident with Russian forces in Syria. While such interactions between American and Russian forces are not rare, the incident highlights the risks of troops from both countries operating in close proximity in northern Syria and the potential for an escalation in tensions. One of the officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said the injuries were a result of a collision and not any exchange of fire. The other official said the incident took place earlier this week in northeastern Syria and the injuries were mild.

U.S. troops appear to be blocking a road and then attempt to block the path of the Russian patrol when they drive through the field. An American MaxxPro MRAP appears to collide with a Russian Typhoon-K MRAP. Longer version of that video with an American M-ATV and MaxxPro MRAP being overtaken by Russian Typhoon-K, Tigr, Tigr-M SpN, Ural-4320, and BTR-82A vehicles with Russian Mi-8AMTSh and Mi-35M helicopters flying overhead. The MaxxPro MRAP (Mine Resistant Ambush Protected) vehicle is an armored fighting vehicle designed by American company Navistar. Kamaz Typhoon is a family of Russian multi-functional, modular, armoured, MRAP vehicles manufactured by the Russian truck builder Kamaz.

The Pentagon and the U.S. military’s Central Command, which oversees U.S. forces in the region, declined to comment. The U.S. military said the Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley spoke with his Russian counterpart Wednesday, but provided no details on what was discussed. The U.S. military does not generally comment on injuries. However, last month a paratrooper was killed during a vehicle rollover accident in eastern Syria. Earlier this year, another video on social media showed Russian military vehicles, backed by a pair of helicopters, driving dangerously close to U.S. armored vehicles.