A Russian Su-24 strike aircraft in the sky over the Khmeimim airbase in Syria. Photo: Dmitriy Vinogradov / RIA Novosti
Syrian and Russian Su-24 fighter bombers have carried out a series of airstrikes against sabotage groups in Syria’s central desert, also known as al-Badya.
It is unclear when exactly the Syrian and Russian airstrikes took place. However, video footage of the airstrikes surfaced online on July 16. The targeted sabotage groups were reportedly trained by the United States-led coalition at al-Taf garrison in the southeastern Syrian area of al-Tanf and made several attempts to launch attacks in the past.
Around 200 U.S. troops are usually deployed at al-Tanf. The coalition maintains a 55-kilometer no-fly zone around al-Tanf. Despite this, Russian fighter jets conduct armed patrols over the garrison on a regular basis, likely to monitor suspicious activities there.
Earlier this week, it was also reported that a Russian intelligence aircraft flew directly over the garrison without being intercepted.
The U.S. claims that it is present in al-Tanf to counter ISIS. However, the real purpose of the garrison is to block a strategic highway that links Damascus with the Iraqi capital, Baghdada. In addition, the garrison is reportedly being used as an outpost to collect intelligence and facilitate Israeli attacks against Syria.
Several Russian airstrikes hit al-Tanf and nearby areas recently, according to unverified reports. Videos of the reported airstrikes surfaced online on July 7 and 10.
In May, Sergey Naryshkin, director of Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service, accused the U.S. of training ISIS terrorists in al-Tanf on sabotage. Later in June, Alexander Lavrentiev, the Russian president’s special envoy for Syria, said that the coalition was strengthening its military contingent in the garrison and other parts of Syria.
The recent movements by Syria and its allies around al-Tanf are leading to worries in Washington. On July 14, a Pentagon official told reporters that the Russian military group in Syria had been quietly coordinating with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps on long-term plans to pressure the U.S. to withdraw its forces from the garrison and other parts of Syria.
The U.S. presence in Syria is not authorized by Damascus, who consider it to be an occupation. Washington appears to be planning to keep its forces in the country for the long term, despite the risks of a military confrontation.
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american idiots expect a 55km no fly zone while they are illegally occupying part of a foreign country for 200 clowns and their country is at distance of over 10000km from syria. this form of “logic” only exists in psychopathic minds.
these anglo-american bases all over the world reminds me of the old forts they would construct in their slow expansion towards the west taking the lands of many native peoples tribes.
its almost like anglo-americans are applying the same strategy but on a global scale
what exactly is an anglo-american to you’s?
those that support the government(usa) and blindy wave the stars and stripes.
music to my ears!
bomb those bestards out of syria the us terrorists are much weaker then you think , the us state is about to declare bankruptcy
carpet bomb the whole al tanf area and incinerate all the lgbt gay united snakes soldiers. problem done 👍👍👍
americans would not accept a syrian military base at home, neither should they syrians accept your presence illegally upon their soil. go home and retrieve your honor: there is none occupying someone’s else’s land. it’s called theft.