Syria: Rare U.S. strike meant ‘to support terrorism’
BEIRUT — Syrian staterun media said Thursday a rare U.S. strike on government-backed troops in eastern Syria killed and wounded dozens of tribal fighters, calling it a new effort “to support terrorism.”
The U.S.-led coalition said its action was in “selfdefense,” citing a major attack on its allied forces and U.S. advisers in Deir el-Zour province by at least 500 fighters, battle tanks, howitzers and mortars.
The overnight attack, which a U.S. military official earlier said killed about 100 of the attackers, added another layer to the Syrian conflict that is once again plunging into new and unpredictable violence.
The attack in Deir elZour province in northeastern Syria occurred in a crowded battle space. A stronghold of Islamic State militants until late last year, the province also was the group’s main source of oil revenue. U.S.-backed Kurdish-led forces have been fighting for control of Deir el-Zour with rival Russianbacked Syrian troops that are reinforced by Iraniansupported militias.
The U.S.-backed forces control areas east of the Euphrates River and most of the oil and gas fields, while government forces are based in the west. Previous friction was reported before, but Wednesday’s incident appeared to be the largest since last year. The Islamic State militants have been dispersed in the province, which also has a number of U.S. bases.
In an email Thursday to The Associated Press, Col. Thomas Veale said the coalition reported to the Russians the buildup of the pro-government forces in the area before the attack, and communicated with them during and after it. The Russian officials offered assurances that they would not engage the coalition forces in the area, Veale said.
The Russian Defense Ministry said the U.S. airstrike wounded 25 proSyria volunteers.
Meanwhile, the American-backed SDF captured two notorious British members of an Islamic State insurgent cell commonly dubbed “The Beatles” and known for beheading hostages, a U.S. military official speaking on condition of anonymity said Thursday.
The official said that El Shafee Elsheikh and Alexanda Amon Kotey were captured in early January in eastern Syria. The two men are among four members of the Islamic State cell that captured, tortured and beheaded more than two dozen hostages, including American journalists James Foley and Steven Sotloff, and American aid worker Peter Kassig.
The U.S. airstrike coincides with escalating violence in Syria.
The Syrian government also has been pressing its campaign in a rebel-held area near the capital of Damascus. On Thursday, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which monitors the war, said 56 people, including 10 children, were killed in towns in the eastern Ghouta area, which has been pummeled by artillery and airstrikes. Siraj Mahmoud of the Syrian Civil Defense, also known as White Helmets, said 58 people were killed.