In a rare move, U.S.-backed Syrian fighters launched an attack on three government posts in eastern Syria, claiming to have killed 18 pro-government gunmen. The escalation near the Iraq border follows heightened tensions in the region after recent attacks on Hezbollah and Hamas leaders.
The clash in Deir el-Zour province reflects the Syrian government’s longstanding vow to expel U.S. forces from the region, deployed since 2015 to combat ISIS. The Arab-led Deir el-Zour Military Council, part of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, cited retaliation for recent civilian casualties in their assault.
With nine pro-government fighters reported dead and the worst clashes in a year, control over eastern Syria’s Euphrates river area remains a contentious issue. The strategic location holds significance for both the U.S.-backed SDF, controlling oil fields, and Iranian-backed forces seeking a land corridor to the Mediterranean.
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