Russia Sending S-300 Defense Systems To Syria Keeps Assad 'Threat To Region' - Mattis

WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 25th September, 2018) Russia's decision to supply Syria with S-300 missile defense systems will keep President Bashar Assad's government in a position to threaten the region, US Defense Secretary James Mattis told reporters.

"Any additional weapons going in to support Assad... keeps him in a position of threat to the region," Mattis said when asked about the S-300s on Monday, as quoted by breaking Defense news.

Earlier in the day, the State Department told Sputnik that the action by Russia will only increase the risk of escalation and make it more dangerous for US-led coalition forces to operate in Syria.

The Kremlin announced it would send the anti-missile system to Syria after the Russian Il-20 military plane was accidentally shot down on September 17 while returning to the Hmeimim airbase some 22 miles off the Syrian coast.

The Russian Defense Ministry said Israeli F-16 jets flying in the vicinity used the Russian aircraft as a shield against Syrian air defenses. The incident claimed the lives of 15 Russian servicemen.