US Airstrike Kills 100 Syrian Soldiers - Conflict Escalating?

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A rare airstrike by the US military coalition has killed at least 100 of Syrian President Bashar Assad’s troops in what many fear could be a dangerous escalation.

After Turkey moved in its army two weeks ago to strike at the 30,000 strong force of Kurdish fighters at its southern border, something seems to be afoot in Syria again.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">US Airstrike in Syria Kills 100 Pro-government Fighters <a href="https://t.co/E1Zk4yl2lv">https://t.co/E1Zk4yl2lv</a> <a href="https://t.co/H7qIjLl5eU">pic.twitter.com/H7qIjLl5eU</a></p>&mdash; SIGNAL (@thesignalng) <a href="https://twitter.com/thesignalng/status/961523167813451776?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 8, 2018</a></blockquote>

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Even though most of ISIS appears defeated, the remaining forces there (Turkey, Syria, US, Russia) seem keen on starting a war in between themselves. Even Israel has allegedly sent in its air force to bomb a Syrian compound earlier this week.

Related coverage: <a href="https://thegoldwater.com/news/17409-Breaking-Video-Syrian-Rebels-Shoot-Down-Russian-Jet-Execute-Pilot">Breaking Video - Syrian Rebels Shoot Down Russian Jet - Execute Pilot </a>.

After pro-regime troops (some 500 Syrian soldiers backed by tanks) had attacked the compound of the Syrian Democratic Forces in Khusham, the US-led military coalition struck back and took out well over 100 soldiers of President Assad, though no further details were provided.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Unprovoked attack by Syrian pro-regime forces prompts Coalition defensive strikes.<a href="https://t.co/JKn5RpYlEn">https://t.co/JKn5RpYlEn</a> <a href="https://t.co/BNwO9qjeia">pic.twitter.com/BNwO9qjeia</a></p>&mdash; Inherent Resolve (@CJTFOIR) <a href="https://twitter.com/CJTFOIR/status/961388033516896263?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 7, 2018</a></blockquote>

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The US statement said that: "After 20 to 30 artillery and tank rounds landed within 500 meters of the SDF headquarters location, Syrian Democratic Forces supported by the Coalition targeted the aggressors with a combination of air and artillery strikes."

"Coalition advisers were with the SDF in an advise, assist and accompany capacity, and this action was taken in self-defense."

Above all, efforts were made to avoid a direct confrontation with the Russian military also in the area, as the statement said: "Coalition officials alerted Russian officials of the SDF presence in Khusham via the de-confliction line well in advance of the PRF attack."

"Coalition officials were in regular communication with Russian counterparts before, during and after the thwarted PRF attack. Russian officials assured Coalition officials they would not engage Coalition forces in the vicinity."

Source:

https://www.politico.com/story/2018/02/07/syria-military-strikes-329658