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Russian air transport agency urges maximum caution for flights near Syria — source

A similar warning was earlier issued by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)

MOSCOW, April 11. /TASS/. Russia’s Federal Air Transport Agency (Rosaviatsiya) recommended Russian air carriers to show maximum caution while planning flights in the eastern Mediterranean region, a source in a Russian air carrier has told TASS.

"Rosaviatsiya has sent telegrams to notify air carriers of the need to show particular attention while planning flights in the eastern Mediterranean region and of the need to track relevant NOTAM [a notice filed with an aviation authority to alert aircraft pilots of potential hazards along a flight route]," the source said.

A similar warning was earlier issued by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which has recommended all air carriers to tighten control over their flights in the eastern Mediterranean region within the next 72 hours. The warning was issued due to possible airstrikes on Syria involving cruise missiles or air-to-surface missiles and possible glitches of navigation systems.

A strike group of US warships, led by the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman will depart Norfolk (Virginia) on Wednesday for a deployment to the Middle East, the US Navy said. The strike group also includes the USS Normandy guided-missile cruiser and four guided-missile destroyers. The German frigate FGS Heschen also will accompany the strike group for the first part of its deployment.

The deployment comes against the background of fresh allegations of chemical weapons use in the Syrian city of Douma. US President Donald Trump said on Monday he will decide on whether to respond militarily within the next 24-48 hours.