On March 23, an Iranian-backed group sent a drone to a US-led coalition base near the northeastern Syrian city of Hasakah. Some 900 U.S. troops now . Something went wrong. Special operation troops Former Defense Secretary Ash Carter announced in early December that 200 additional American special operations troops would join the 300 already serving in a train, advise and assist role inside Syria since early 2016. The three military officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity because of the continuing inquiry, said on Tuesday that an MH-47 Chinook helicopter carrying the commandos had gone down in apparently good weather and without taking hostile fire. [89], On 13 June, Turkish forces launched drone strikes and shelled multiple areas of northern Syria, including Kobani where 3 civilians were severely injured by shelling. [73], On 22 May, the Syrian foreign minister Faisal Mekdad announced there would be no normalisation with Turkey until Turkish soldiers left Syria. A U.S. soldier walking during a dismounted patrol, Syria, Feb. 3, 2023. The book is a classic of young-adult literature, threading . The troops work with Kurdish fighters to prevent a resurgence of the Islamic State, which was defeated as a self-declared caliphate in 2019, after five years of wreaking havoc across Iraq and Syria. The airstrike targeted a well known drug dealer by the name of Merhi Ramthan. As of 2023, active fighting in the conflict between the Syrian government and rebel groups had mostly subsided, but there were occasional flareups in Northwestern Syria. On 6 February, a magnitude 9 strike-slip earthquake took place along the East Anatolian Fault on the border of Turkey and Syria. [83][84], On 10 June, 3 YPG fighters, including a commander, were killed and 2 others were injured in a suspected Turkish drone strike on their military vehicle in the town of Adhas in the northern Aleppo countryside. US forces are present on the ground focused on only one mission, and that is the enduring defeat of ISIS.. (And no matter how our work is funded, we have strict guidelines on editorial independence.) In retaliation, U.S. F-15 fighter jets from al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar struck locations near Deir el-Zour, targeting the Iran-backed militias believed responsible for the attack. As of 2023, the al-Tanf base continues to serve as the headquarters for the Revolutionary Commando Army and a contingent of at least 200 U.S. soldiers operating on behalf of the CJTF-OIR Coalition. The terrorist group in 2019 was territorially defeated and it is unable to threaten regional security and Coalition homelands, meaning the US interest here has largely been accomplished. But Congress hasnt approved it, the public hardly knows about it, and its not clear under what conditions the US would leave. The earthquake left tens of thousands dead and many more injured. The U.S. Department of Defense said Iranian-backed militias were responsible. But the mission is also impossible insofar that new ISIS fighters are still being recruited, and the US military alone simply cannot address whats much more than a military problem. Air Force Brig. [61][62], Furthermore, 2 Liwa al-Quds militiamen, including a lieutenant, were killed and another 3 were injured in an ISIS attack near the village of Arak in the Palmyra desert. Jab Al-Jirrah in the Homs countryside. Then he killed again. Its important that we have several ways we make money, just like its important for you to have a diversified retirement portfolio to weather the ups and downs of the stock market. The U.S. strikes targeted eleven bunkers in Deir ez-Zor used to store weapons, according to the United States Central Command. This statement occurred in response to diplomatic efforts by Russia, which sought to encourage Syria and Turkey to seek reconciliation, and restoration of diplomatic ties. The US and Iranian-backed forces keep coming into conflict in Syria. Syria mission worth the risk, top U.S. general says after rare visit Scott Dubis, 52, died in the attack on March 23, according to his family. Map of the military bases and posts of foreign forces in Syria Russia argued that the U.S. was holding the refugee camp "hostage" and potentially as human shields within the territory. But its lethality was rare. But also, it is an enjoyable experience, because we get to see how welcoming the locals are to us, and they're able to share their concerns with us anything that they want us to be aware of that we can potentially help with, Powell told VOA. Family identifies Summerville man as US contractor killed in Syria [43] The Russian Reconciliation Center for Syria commented that "during the existence of the base, we don't know of a single US operation against IS [Islamic State, formerly ISIS] in the area. The number of reported casualties varied, and the U.S. would not confirm any numbers. [37], On 24 August 2022, U.S. President Joe Biden ordered airstrikes against claimed Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps after a number of rockets struck near the U.S. military base in al-Tanf on 15 August and an airstrike by the Russian military in an area held by the Syrian opposition. [33][34], In June 2022, Russia carried out airstrikes at the al-Tanf garrison U.S. military base, after first notifying the United States of their intentions. [62], In 2021 it was reported that, according to "Israeli defense sources", al-Tanf continued to host around 350 military personnel and civilians, "including some British and French forces that were described as 'intelligence experts'". Three U.S. service members were injured in two separate rocket attacks on facilities housing U.S. troops in Syria, U.S. Central Command said in a statement. WASHINGTON (AP) When an Iranian drone struck a U.S. base in northeastern Syria, killing a contractor and wounding several U.S. troops, it was just the latest in a growing number of attacks on American forces in Syria. It is reported ISIS insurgents were behind the attack. Most news outlets make their money through advertising or subscriptions. [54], On 1 April, 2 Syrian soldiers, including a lieutenant, were killed after their vehicle drove over a landmine in the desert south of Deir ez-Zor. In recent months, the SDF has carried out several campaigns targeting IS sleeper cells in the provinces of Hasaka and Deir el-Zour. The US is in Syria to curb the terrorist group Islamic State or ISIS, in a region that is semi-autonomous and run by the Syrian Democratic Forces, a Kurdish group. This attack came 3 days after a large IED explosion killed 2 Syrian soldiers and injured another on the road between Kafr Nassij and Al-Mal, north of Daraa. I dont think that there is much reason to believe that America remaining longer there is somehow positioning us for an exit on better terms, or its going to leave Syria in a shape thats more favorable to US interests, Sam Heller, a researcher with Century International, told me. Whats going on with Vladimir Putin after the mutiny? [28][29], Around 16 February 2020, an Iranian-backed proxy group reportedly breached the deconfliction zone at Al-Tanf, and were then repelled by Maghawir al-Thawra. Spc. Roughly 900 U.S. troops, including a number of Green Berets, will remain in Syria to continue supporting and advising the Syrian Democratic Forces fighting the Islamic State the same role they . [16], On the same day, an Islamic State fighter was killed in clashes with SDF operatives in the village of Al-Zir, north of Mayadin. Al-Tanf (Arabic: , romanized:al-Tanf), also known as the Al-Tanf garrison (ATG),[3] is a United States military base within territory controlled by the Syrian opposition in Homs Governorate, Syria. Tenzing Sherpa/Army) When an Iranian drone struck a U.S. base in northeastern Syria, killing a. How to get the names of the U.S. troops over Syria - Quora [69], On 7 May, the Arab League agreed to re-admit Syria into the league. China's foreign minister has called on the United States to "respect other countries' sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, immediately end the troops' illegal occupation and plundering in Syria. Three U.S. service members wounded in Syria rocket attacks Legislation directing President Joe Biden to remove some 900 U.S. troops from Syria within 180 days was soundly defeated in the House on Wednesday, March 8, 2023, as opponents of the measure . In most recent cases, no U.S. forces have been hurt in such attacks. [42], On 19 March, Israeli operatives assassinated 31-year-old Ali Ramzi al-Aswad a Palestinian Islamic Jihad member in Damascus. [18], On 10 January, joint forces of the US-led coalition and forces of the SDF launched a counter-terror operation in the village of Al-Sabaa wa Arbain where 2 ISIS fighters had barricaded themselves inside a house. [85], On 11 June, a Russian soldier was killed and another 4 were wounded after Turkish forces shelled their military vehicle near the village of Herbel in the Aleppo countryside. @EricSchmittNYT, A version of this article appears in print on, U.S. Please also read our Privacy Notice and Terms of Use, which became effective December 20, 2019. Syrian government forces and allied Iran-backed groups are deployed on the west bank of the Euphrates River in Deir el-Zour, while American troops support their allies, the SDF, largely along the east bank. On 19 February, just after midnight, 15 people were killed in an Israeli airstrike in Damascus. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. [80] On the same day, ISIS militants killed a member of the Deir ez-Zor Military Council and injured another 3 in an armed ambush in the Al-Saadah area, north of Deir ez-Zor. [25][26], On 30 January just after midnight, at least 10 people were killed in several airstrikes conducted by unidentified drones in the town of Abu Kamal near the Syria-Iraq border. Inside, an airstrip used for transporting soldiers and military supplies, divides the facility into two spaces, one of which is exclusively occupied by American soldiers. That would be illegal", "Shia militia with international coalition liberate Waleed along Syrian border", "Iraqi tribal militia seizes strategic border area from Daesh", "UK special forces pictured on the ground in Syria", "Rebels reopen border crossing between Syria, Iraq", "ISIS fighters got inside the wire during a hellish firefight with US Special Ops in Syria", "US forces help repel ISIS attack on southern Syrian base", "Islamic State launches two suicide attacks on U.S.-backed Syrian rebels", "Syria, Russia condemn US-led strike on pro-Assad forces", "US jets bomb Assad tank convoy advancing on coalition base in Syria", -35 : , "Iraqi forces remove Islamic State fighters from vicinity of U.S. base in Syria", -, , : , "Iran-backed group launches attack near small garrison in Syria housing American special operators", "New intelligence suggests that #Iranian_proxies operating outside the control of the #Syrian_Regime attacked the Maghaweir Al-Thowra inside the 55km DCZ The Maghaweir Al-Thowra defended itself and repelled the aggressors. [18], On 9 January, casualties were inflicted on a Pro-Assad militia near the town of Al-Jalaa in the Deir-ez-Zor countryside, after ISIS militants attacked Syrian military positions in the area. [13] [14], On 2 January, as part of Israel's continuing strikes against Syrian and Iranian targets, Israeli warplanes conducted several airstrikes on the Damascus International airport, killing 2 Syrian soldiers and temporarily putting the airport out of service. Half the world is at risk of dengue. [20][21] By 2019, the CJTF-OIR coalition referred to the area simply as the Deconfliction Zone (DCZ) with the Al-Tanf Garrison (ATG) at the center. The statement said that 10 of the soldiers had been evacuated to hospitals outside the region and that an inquiry was underway. [27], On 2 February, Turkish defence minister, Hulusi Akar announced the defence ministries of Turkey, Syrian and Russia will hold a meeting in Moscow to try and agree to a rapprochement and normalisation of relations between Syria and Turkey.[28]. [72], On 14 May, an SDF fighter was found beheaded by suspected ISIS fighters in central Taqba. The U.S. said the strike was in retaliation for the killing of an American contractor in a rocket attack on an Iraqi military base that it blamed on the group. VOA Exclusive: Inside a US Military Base in Syria - Voice of America With a Hand From the U.S. Military, Aid Finally Reaches a Syrian Camp [94], Later that day, 4 SDF commanders were killed and another 3 were injured after a Turkish drone targeted their military vehicle on a road Al-Qamishly and Al-Malkiya in Al-Hasakah countryside. WASHINGTON (AP) When an Iranian drone struck a U.S. base in northeastern Syria, killing a contractor and wounding several U.S. troops, it was just the latest in a growing number of attacks on. In August 2022, the U.S. carried out strikes targeting Iran-backed militias in Deir el-Zour province. [96], On 17 June, ISIS militants assassinated an SDF fighter in the village of al-Shabahat, north of Deir ez-Zor. Gen. Pat Ryder, the Pentagon press secretary, said the rockets were fired by groups affiliated with Irans Revolutionary Guard Corps, but he stopped short of blaming Tehran for the U.S. deaths and injuries. In most recent cases, no U.S. forces have been hurt in such attacks. [24], On the same day, 3 Syrian soldiers were killed after ISIS operatives, under the cover of fog, attacked a Syrian Army outpost near the Taqba Airbase. Its untenable.. [12] On 28 January 2019, Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi ruled out the prospect of Jordanian forces seizing control of al-Tanf after American ground troops leave Syria. The senior US defense official told me that the government of Iraq sent a letter to the UN in 2014 requesting US and international help in response to the terrorist threat from Syria. Kurilla told Congress that Tehran is building increasingly sophisticated drones, and now has an arsenal that ranges from small, short-range systems to long-range one-way attack platforms.. He emphasized that Iran wants to push the US out of Syria and said the mission is worthwhile. [56] The 200 at al-Tanf were to remain indefinitely. [1] [32], On 24 February, a senior Iraqi militant of Hurras al-Din and another individual were killed in a Coalition airstrike in the village of Mashhad Ruhin in Idlib. [56], On 4 April, 2 civilians were killed in an Israeli airstrike in Damascus. A look at the U.S. troop presence in Syria. [60], On 16 April, at least 36 people, including 17 NDF militiamen, were killed in a massacre by ISIS militants in the eastern Hama countryside. [45], On 16 April 2020, a number of Syrian rebels at al-Tanf base defected to the Syrian government in a convoy. [18] In March 2017, the Revolutionary Commando Army (the successor of the New Syrian Army) re-opened the border crossing, resuming cross-border civilian traffic; a group referred to as the Army of Iraqi Tribes was said to control the Iraqi side of the crossing. By 2019, the U.S. declared the Islamic State caliphate destroyed, but remnants of the group remain a threat, including about 10,000 fighters held in detention facilities in Syria and tens of thousands of their family members living in refugee camps. The continuous thunder of Russian guns pounded the American positions in a burned-out natural gas refinery in eastern Syria. The lowest effort option in Syria is to just continue on autopilot.. "We are prepared to stay here, as the president Donald Trump has made clear," he said after meeting with Kurdish officials. The U.S. denied involvement, and an Israeli military official later strongly suggested that Israel was behind the strike. The US began supporting Syrian rebels soon after the countrys civil war broke out in 2011. #Altanf", "Attack hits Syria base that houses US troops; no U.S. injuries", "First air-to-air engagement by RAF Typhoon carried out in Syria", "Russia Carries Out Airstrikes On U.S. Base Near Syria's Border With Jordan", "US-led coalition forces repel drone attack near base in Syria", "Syria demands U.S. withdraw forces "immediately" after rocket strike", "Biden orders airstrikes against Iranian-backed groups in Syria following attacks near base holding US troops last week", "U.S. military carries out strike in Syria on Iran-linked targets", "Iran denies any link to targets hit by U.S. in Syria", "Syria clashes leave US soldier wounded and Iran-backed fighters killed", " "" ", "OIR Coalition conducts defeat-ISIS exercise in eastern Syria", " - * ", "Massive $3.5 million drug-bust at At Tanf by Coalition-partnered security force", "Defectors quit last US-backed rebel group in Syria, head for regime territory", "Special Operators In Syria Are First American Unit To Use Computerized Sights On Their Rifles", " - ", // .., , 8 2018 , "Exclusive: US forces 'illegally in Syria' Sergey Lavrov tells euronews", "Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's interview with Euronews channel, February 16, 2018", -, , "US will 'sell out' Rojava Kurds: Hezbollah chief", "Inside the remote U.S. base in Syria central to combating ISIS and countering Iran", "Jordan wont take over Al-Tanf after US withdrawal from Syria", "US pushes NATO allies to join observer force in Syria", "RUSSIA CLAIMS U.S. HOLDING REFUGEE CAMP 'HOSTAGE' TO STAY IN SYRIA AFTER DONALD TRUMP CHANGES HIS MIND AGAIN ON LEAVING", "Displaced Syrians Deny Claims that US Detains Them in Al-Tanf Camp", "CJTF-OIR holds Ambassadors Day at Union III", "US sending 1,000 additional troops to Middle East amid Iran tensions", "Assad Forces Surge Forward in Syria as U.S. Pulls Back", "Drone Attack In Syria May Be Warning Of Things To Come", "First Came ISIS, Then Iran: How the Mission at a U.S. Base in Syria Kept Growing", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Al-Tanf_(U.S._military_base)&oldid=1160355213, This page was last edited on 16 June 2023, at 00:04.