U.S. strikes Syria militia threatening U.S.-backed forces

[F-22Raptor]

The U.S. military carried out an air strike on Thursday against militia supported by the Syrian government that posed a threat to U.S.-backed fighters in the country's south, U.S. officials told Reuters on Thursday.

One of the U.S. officials said the strikes near the town of At Tanf destroyed at least one tank and a bulldozer, and another said it followed warning shots by U.S. aircraft meant to dissuade the fighters from advancing further.

A member of the U.S.-backed Syrian rebel forces told Reuters the strikes hit a convoy of Syrian and Iranian-backed militias that were heading toward a base used by U.S. and U.S.-supported forces.

Muzahem al Saloum, from the Maghawir al Thwra group, told Reuters that the jets struck after some rebel forces clashed with Syrian and Iranian militias after they had advanced to about 17 miles (27 km) from the base.

"We notified the coalition that we were being attacked by the Syrian army and Iranians in this point, and the coalition came and destroyed the advancing convoy," Saloum said.

The Pentagon did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Since they appeared defensive in nature, Thursday's strikes did not suggest a shift in the U.S. military's focus in Syria, which has been on battling Islamic State militants.

Still, the strikes would be the first against fighters aligned with Syria's government since the United States waged cruise missile strikes on a Syrian air base in April.

The April strikes were ordered in retaliation for a chemical weapons attack that Washington blamed on Damascus, and were described as a one-off measure to deter any future chemical weapons use.

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-usa-idUSKCN18E2JU?il=0

 

[mike2000 is back]

The U.S. military carried out an air strike on Thursday against militia supported by the Syrian government that posed a threat to U.S.-backed fighters in the country's south, U.S. officials told Reuters on Thursday.

One of the U.S. officials said the strikes near the town of At Tanf destroyed at least one tank and a bulldozer, and another said it followed warning shots by U.S. aircraft meant to dissuade the fighters from advancing further.

A member of the U.S.-backed Syrian rebel forces told Reuters the strikes hit a convoy of Syrian and Iranian-backed militias that were heading toward a base used by U.S. and U.S.-supported forces.

Muzahem al Saloum, from the Maghawir al Thwra group, told Reuters that the jets struck after some rebel forces clashed with Syrian and Iranian militias after they had advanced to about 17 miles (27 km) from the base.

"We notified the coalition that we were being attacked by the Syrian army and Iranians in this point, and the coalition came and destroyed the advancing convoy," Saloum said.

The Pentagon did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Since they appeared defensive in nature, Thursday's strikes did not suggest a shift in the U.S. military's focus in Syria, which has been on battling Islamic State militants.

Still, the strikes would be the first against fighters aligned with Syria's government since the United States waged cruise missile strikes on a Syrian air base in April.

The April strikes were ordered in retaliation for a chemical weapons attack that Washington blamed on Damascus, and were described as a one-off measure to deter any future chemical weapons use.

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-usa-idUSKCN18E2JU?il=0

reminds me of this news a day ago (don't know if they are related. If so we need go carry out more airstrikes against them.

Syrian Army rapidly advancing on UK/US Special Forces base – reports
Published time: 16 May, 2017 10:03Edited time: 18 May, 2017 06:39
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© Elite UK Forces / elitukforces.info

Syrian government forces accompanied by Iranian and Hezbollah fighters are within 15 miles (24km) of a joint US/UK Special Forces base, sparking fears of a confrontation.
British SAS troops were photographed at the heavily-fortified base at al-Tanf in 2016 and are thought to be operating alongside units from the US military, including in a training role.

“The Iranians are the ones promoting their movement towards al-Tanf, using the slogan Fighting The Grand Satan i.e. the US and the international coalition,” Mozahem al-Saloum, a spokesman for the al-Tanf-based Free Syrian Army brigade told the Telegraph.

Read more

Britain refuses to confirm ISIS attacked special forces base in Syria

The area is of substantial strategic importance to the regime, as controlling it would help re-establish a road link with Iraq to the south.

In June 2016, Russian jets, providing top cover for the Syrian military, bombed the base. No casualties were reported.

In April, the base reportedly came under attack from Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL).

The UK government refused to comment in line with its long standing policy relating to Special Forces operations.

The US has reportedly warned against further encroachment on the base and it remains unclear how foreign troops would respond to contact with Syrian forces.

The precise disposition and number of UK forces in unknown though they are likely to be either British Army personnel from 22 SAS or Royal Marines from the SBS - Britain’s so-called ‘Tier 1’ operators.

Other units that operate under the same ‘no comment’ umbrella include the Special Forces Support Group (SFSG), formerly the 1st Battalion of The Parachute Regiment, which supplies additional troops to SF operations and the shadowy Special Reconnaissance Regiment (SRR), which provides expert close surveillance capabilities.

https://www.rt.com/uk/388508-sas-base-syrian-army/

They are welcome to try our boys.

 

[SubWater]

Good news is that Hezbollah never lost any battles.
They would attack again and again.
Gen Mat Dog need to learn some hard lesson again.

They are welcome to try our boys.

your boys stuck in tiny and harsh desert with long logistic line my boy.

 

[mike2000 is back]

Good news is that Hezbollah never lost any battles.
They would attack again and again.
Gen Mat Dog need to learn some hard lesson again.


your boys stuck in tiny and harsh desert with long logistic line my boy.

Obviously a guerrilla terrorist group which is used to fighting cowardly hiding behind civilians won't be much of match against a professional force/army, especially in an open field where there are no civilians to use as human shield and hit and run tactics(their specialty). So good luck to them.

 

[Broccoli]

Good news is that Hezbollah never lost any battles.
They would attack again and again.
Gen Mat Dog need to learn some hard lesson again.


your boys stuck in tiny and harsh desert with long logistic line my boy.

I think only lesson those Iranian mercenaries are going to learn how it feels to bet hit by a JDAM.

 

[NoOne'sBoy]

I hope they release the video. I need to get my **** wet.

 

[EgyptianAmerican]

Obviously a guerrilla terrorist group which is used to fighting hiding behind civilians won't be much of match against a professional force/army, especially in an open field where there is no civilians to use as human shield and hit and run tactics(their specialty). So good luck to them.

Aren't special forces used for unconventional warfare? I don't think they are meant to be a professional "force" or "army"

Nonetheless the SAA would need a good 100-300 troops to assault one of these bases considering how fortified one of these would be and they would still lose.

I hope they release the video. I need to get my **** wet.

WTF?

 

[UniverseWatcher]

Seems to me US doesn't want Iraqi army helping the Syrian government, so FSA is securing the border?

 

[SubWater]

I think only lesson those Iranian mercenaries are going to learn how it feels to bet hit by a JDAM.

Obviously a guerrilla terrorist group which is used to fighting hiding behind civilians won't be much of match against a professional force/army, especially in an open field where there is no civilians to use as human shield and hit and run tactics(their specialty). So good luck to them.

we would see my friends.
Also, for your knowledge they hit regular Syrian Army known as SAA in Syrian territory, and they broke international laws, although Americans never respect international laws.

 

[mike2000 is back]

Seems to me US doesn't want Iraqi army helping the Syrian government, so FSA is securing the border?

I believe it was near the Jordanian border? since U.S and mostly British soldiers are based in Jordan from where they help secure Jordanian border from Islamic extremists groups like ISIS. U.K/U.S forces .Though we also have a base in Syria with the U.S to make logistical reasons. @1683 . Our forces there are focus on training FSA against ISIS even though they often take part in some critical missions as well.

Syria war: US coalition strikes pro-Assad militia near Jordan
#SyriaWar
Attack took place near rebel base where US and UK special forces are training rebels

The strike hit a militia which supports Syrian president Bashar al-Assad (AFP)

MEE and agencies
Thursday 18 May 2017 16:40 UTC
Last update:
Thursday 18 May 2017 20:12 UTC
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Topics:
SyriaWar
Tags:
Syria, Damascus, US-led coalition, Tanf
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The US-led coalition struck a convoy of military vehicles belonging to Shia militias loyal to the Syrian government near the border in Jordan on Thursday, according to US officials.

The strike took place a few miles away from the armed opposition rebel base in the town of al-Tanf, where American and British special forces are training rebels opposed to Bashar al-Assad.


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BREAKING: US official confirms to @BuzzFeedNews that the US-led Coalition hit Assad regime forces with air strikes in southern Syria today

5:24 PM - 18 May 2017

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According to a US defence official, the pro-Assad militia convoy was heading to a remote coalition garrison near the Jordanian border.

The US official also said the coalition air strike did not directly target the Syrian army but Shia militias who support the Syrian government which was operating in the area.

"A convoy going down the road didn’t respond to numerous ways for it to be warned off from getting too close to coalition forces in At-Tanf," the official told AFP on condition of anonymity.

'A convoy going down the road didn’t respond to numerous ways for it to be warned off from getting too close to coalition forces in At-Tanf'

- US official

Attempts to halt the convoy included a call to the Russians - who are working with the Syrian regime- the official said, before "show of force" above the vehicles, followed by warning shots.

"Then there was finally a strike against the lead portion of that movement," the official said, adding that while the convoy was "significant" in size, only the lead vehicles were hit.

The attack allegedly destroyed tanks and other military vehicles belonging to the Iranian-backed Imam Ali Brigade, according to pro-government media outlets.

Attack after notification
Muzahem al Saloum, from the Maghawir al Thwra group, told Reuters that the jets struck after rebel forces clashed with advancing Syrian and Iranian militias that were about 27km from the base.

"We notified the coalition that we were being attacked by the Syrian army and Iranians at this point and the coalition came and destroyed the advancing convoy," Saloum said.

Earlier today, pro-Iranian government media outlets had reported that 3,000 Hezbollah fighters were deployed to the Al-Tanf region to protect the area from "US interests".

• READ: Why I deserted the Syrian army

Washington launched 59 missiles at a Syrian airbase after a chemical attack in Idlib province on 6 April that Western powers blame on the Syrian government. US officials have threatened additional strikes if chemical weapons are used again.

The US attack damaged or destroyed 20 percent of Syria's operational aircraft, as well as fuel and ammunition sites and air defence capabilities, Defence Secretary Jim Mattis said of the strike on the Shayrat air base.

http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/us-coalition-strike-assad-convoy-near-damascus-1806303357

Assad will do well to avoid a confrontation with U.S and U.K , since his forces can be easily decimated in case he dares launch any reckless attack against our base or soldiers. He should talk to his Russian patrons who don't dare do such things themselves, talk less of their minion Assad. His focus should be on remaining in power (he so love) by all means necessary, we don't really care much if he does anyway(else he will be long gone like Qaddafi and Saddam)., how focus is more on ISIS.

 

[500]

While rebels are fighting ISIS, Assad and Khamenai scumbags attacked them in back:

https://twitter.com/x/status/860720834888990721

Good news is that Hezbollah never lost any battles.
They would attack again and again.
Gen Mat Dog need to learn some hard lesson again.

your boys stuck in tiny and harsh desert with long logistic line my boy.

Hezbollah is only good in firing rockets hiding behind civilians and in slaughtering civilians. They started a war to capture Shabaa farms from Israel and were miserably beaten.

I am not even talking about Jerusalem these clowns promised to liberate. LOL.

 

[Mr.Department]

So good luck to them.

We will probably soon see a wonderful firework, exploding MIG's and intercepted S-400 missiles

https://twitter.com/x/status/865316273303040001

https://twitter.com/x/status/865338105326424064

 

[AmirPatriot]

Aren't special forces used for unconventional warfare? I don't think they are meant to be a professional "force" or "army"

Nonetheless the SAA would need a good 100-300 troops to assault one of these bases considering how fortified one of these would be and they would still lose.

No need to apply logic here, mike's chest thumping means he can't hear your logic.

 

[Vassnti]

Aren't special forces used for unconventional warfare? I don't think they are meant to be a professional "force" or "army"

WTF?

Special forces generally take the best from regular units then give them additional training (read put them through hell) those that make it receive training to perform missions regular troops cannot but do not think of them as some sort of irregular, they are used to being outnumbered far from base and still handing out cans of whoop ***.

 

[Mr.Department]

some sort of irregular

That's job of SAD

Though we also have a base in Syria with the U.S to make logistical reasons.

Buddy, for some days I am waiting for the answer. " Did SAD and SAS blackops attacked our FSA outposts and killed many of them, to blackmail Turkey and the little Turkish platoon from to leave UN-respected Turkish territory "Süleyman Sah Tomb", which was later handed over to YPG/PKK ?"

I heard this vis a vis from a retired UK defence expert. If you can't answer cause you are classified or it fits not in your ethical and political view you can keep battle silence

" no answer is an answer "