In a direct response to Russia’s “unsafe” behavior in Syria, Washington is sending F22 fighters to the region

US officials said, on Wednesday, that the Pentagon will send F-22 Raptor fighter jets to the Middle East in direct response to… The increasingly “unsafe” behavior of Russian aircraft In the skies of Syria, in the latest escalation of tensions between the two countries.

The US Central Command said in a statement that the deployment of the F-22 aircraft will show a clear US air superiority in the region.

The move comes amid reports of increasingly aggressive actions by Russian planes, which a US military official described as an attempt by the Russians to “fight” US planes over Syria, according to a report in the Washington Times.

The United States has nearly 1,000 troops in Syria. Their official mission is to fight the remnants of the Islamic State, but those American forces have increasingly found themselves in conflict with the militias and in dangerous confrontations with the Russians.

There is no direct conflict between the US and Russian forces in the Syrian airspace, but US officials have announced that the deployment of the F-22 is a preemptive step to ensure safety in the region.

“The unsafe and unprofessional behavior of Russian forces is not what we would expect from a professional air force,” Central Command commander Eric Korella said in a statement Wednesday afternoon.

“Their regular violation of deconfliction measures in agreed airspace increases the risk of escalation or miscalculation,” he added. “Together with our partners and allies, we are committed to improving security and stability in the region,” he added.

The US Central Command added: “This rapid deployment and integration into coalition operations is a clear demonstration of the shared commitment of partners, allies, and the United States to achieving long-term peace and stability in the region.”