US Defense Secretary Austin: We have seen Chinese and Russian aircraft flying together for the first time.

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin stated that they saw 4 fighter jets belonging to China and Russia flying together in the international airspace off the coast of Alaska for the first time.

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin held a press conference at the Pentagon with US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Charles Brown. Austin, who said that the incident of 4 fighter jets belonging to China and Russia being intercepted in the international airspace off the coast of Alaska by the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), a joint organization of the US and Canada, was "not a surprise," stated that they constantly monitor the developments in this region.

US DEFENSE SECRETARY: WE ARE SEEING CHINA AND RUSSIA FLYING TOGETHER FOR THE FIRST TIME

Austin used the expression "We are seeing China and Russia flying together for the first time" but stated that he would not discuss intelligence matters. Austin stated that Russian and Chinese aircraft did not enter US and Canadian airspace, but approached the border up to 300 kilometers, and emphasized that they are always ready to intervene in such situations.

"THEY ALWAYS TEST US"

When asked whether Russia and China are testing the US when President Joe Biden withdrew his candidacy, Austin responded, "They always test us, and this is not a surprise for any of us."

"HARRIS IS A KEY PLAYER"

When asked about the impact of Vice President Kamala Harris on security, Austin said, "I will not make a political comment, but as someone who has had meetings and observed her for 3.5 years, she is always prepared and provides valuable input on complex issues." Describing Harris as a "key player," the Defense Secretary stated, "She has represented this country many times on the international stage and has done so in a very professional and effective manner."

"WE PROVIDED SECURITY ASSISTANCE TO ISRAEL AT RECORD SPEED"

Regarding Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's statement in Congress yesterday, "Give us the weapons quickly, let's finish our job quickly in Gaza," Austin said that they provided security assistance to Israel at a "record speed" after October 7, 2023, and that this assistance continues, and he stated that he would not comment on Netanyahu's statement.

US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Charles Brown also responded to similar questions by defending that he has not seen any figures that would confirm or deny Netanyahu's claims about civilian casualties in Gaza, and stated that they put pressure on Israeli officials in every meeting to reduce civilian casualties and ensure humanitarian aid reaches Gaza.

In his speech at the US Congress, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu claimed that "no civilians were killed" in the situation in the city of Rafah in Gaza, where thousands of Palestinians were killed. Netanyahu claimed that the statements about the killing of civilians in Gaza were "lies" and claimed that "Despite all the lies you hear, Gaza is the place where the number of civilians killed is the lowest compared to the losses of combatants in urban warfare history."