(Reuters) Phil Stewart and Suleiman Al-Khalidi - The U.S. military carried out an air strike on Thursday against a militia supported by the Syrian government that posed a threat to U.S. and U.S.-backed Syrian fighters in the country's south, U.S. officials said. A convoy comprised of Syrian and Iranian-backed militias was headed toward the garrison used by U.S. and U.S.-backed forces near the town of At Tanf. "The coalition came and destroyed the advancing convoy," said Muzahem al Saloum of the Maghawir al Thwra group. U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said, "We are not increasing our role in the Syrian civil war. But we will defend our troops." A Western intelligence official said the strike sent a strong message to Iranian-backed militias.
2017-05-19 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive