(CNN) Barbara Starr - Russia warned the U.S. military twice last week that its forces, along with Syrian regime units, are prepared to attack in an area where dozens of U.S. troops are located, sparking U.S. warnings to Moscow not to challenge the U.S. military presence, U.S. defense officials said. Concern centers on a U.S.-led anti-ISIS coalition base at At Tanf. U.S. troops help monitor a 55-km. (34-mile) exclusion zone around At Tanf near the borders of Syria, Jordan and Iraq. Officials said U.S. troops in the area have the right of self-defense if they are attacked and would not need to ask permission from higher-ups before acting. "We have absolutely advised them [Russia] to stay out of At Tanf," one U.S. official said. "We are postured to respond....If attacked, the United States will not hesitate to use necessary and proportionate force to defend U.S., coalition or partner forces."
2018-09-12 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive