Director of National Intelligence (DNI) James Clapper testifies before a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing on ''Worldwide threats to America and our allies'' in Capitol Hill, Washington February 9, 2016. REUTERS/CARLOS BARRIA
The Intercept: Intelligence Director “Wouldn’t Put It Past” Russia to Fire at U.S. Aircraft in Syria
HILLARY CLINTON HAS PROPOSED establishing a no-fly zone in Syria, but Director of National Intelligence James Clapper said Tuesday that such a move could lead Russia to shoot down U.S. planes.
“I wouldn’t put it past them to shoot down an American aircraft if they felt that was threatening to their forces on the ground,” Clapper said during a talk at the Council of Foreign Relations.
Russia recently deployed mobile S-400 and S-300 missile batteries to Western Syria, which are capable of shooting down aircraft and cruise missiles. Clapper signaled that they posed a threat to American planes should the U.S. try to institute a no-fly zone in Syria.
“The system they have there is very advanced, very capable,” said Clapper, “and I don’t think they’d do it – deploy it – if they didn’t have some intention to use it.”
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Update: US official: Russia might shoot down US aircraft in Syria (FOX News/AP)
WNU Editor: Russia has already indicated that enforcing a no-fly zone would be crossing a red-line .... translation .... they will shoot down U.S. warplanes.
