U.S. Military Base in Syria Rocked by Blasts
DAMASCUS (Dispatches) – The sounds of at least two explosions have rocked a military base used by American forces in eastern Syria, Iraqi outlet reported.
Sabereen news, which is associated with Iraqi anti-terror Popular Mobilization Units (PMU), said the sounds of at least two blasts were heard in a U.S. base in al-Omar oil field in the Dayr al-Zawr province near the Syrian-Iraqi border in the early hours of Monday.
Al-Omar oil field is located on the border area between Iraq and Syria.
Syria’s official news agency SANA, said at least two people were killed when American occupation forces, in coordination with Kurdish-led militants from the so-called Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), carried out a surprise attack in Syria’s eastern province of Dayr al-Zawr.
Citing local sources who asked not to be named, SANA reported that the civilians lost their lives during an airdrop operation conducted jointly by American attack helicopters and SDF members in the village of al-Zar early on Monday.
The assault was accompanied by intense and indiscriminate shooting.
The report comes as American media outlets reported that Russia launched a string of strikes on U.S. positions in Syria last month.
Citing U.S. military officials, The Wall Street Journal reported last month that Russian forces conducted a series of operations against the U.S.-led coalition in Syria, including one at a strategically located base in the southern part of the country.
According to the report, U.S. military officials were concerned that a miscalculation might escalate into an unintended conflict between the American and Russian forces in Syria as tensions between Moscow and Washington have been already high since the start of Russia’s operation in Ukraine in February.
Russia had notified the U.S. that it would launch the air raids in response to attacks conducted against the Syrian troops.
The United States and its allies invaded Syria in 2014 under the pretext of fighting Daesh terrorists. The terrorists had emerged as Washington was running out of excuses to extend its regional meddling or enlarge it in scale.
The U.S. military has stationed forces and equipment in northeastern Syria. The Pentagon claims the deployment is aimed at preventing the oilfields in the area from falling into the hands of Daesh terrorists. Damascus says the deployment is meant to plunder Syria’s rich mineral resources.