U.S. Marines with 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, attached to Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force, Crisis Response-Central Command, during a live-fire demonstration near At-Tanf Garrison, Syria, Sept, 7, 2018. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Carlos Lopez)
The United States-led coalition had held an anti-drone exercise at its garrison in the southeastern Syrian area of al-Tanf, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported on September 9.
The exercise simulated repelling a drone attack by Iranian-backed forces, the London-based monitoring group said, adding that live fire was used in the exercise.
The coalition noted in a statement released on September 8 that its forces will be conducting aerial operational exercises in or near al-Tanf to “validate weapons systems and maintain crew proficiency and readiness.”
“These exercises ensure the Coalition’s continued capability to support our partner forces and protect our Coalition service members. Extensive planning and proper safety measures are taken before and during live fire rehearsals in order to protect the Coalition and the local population,” the statement reads.
Around 200 U.S. troops are usually deployed at al-Tanf. The coalition maintains a 55-kilometer no-fly zone around the garrison.
Al-Tanf was attacked by three suicide drones on January 20. Two of the drones were shot down by coalition air defenses. However, the third hit a compound within the garrison. The attack wounded at least three U.S.-backed militants. Back then, a shadowy pro-Iranian group calling itself the Islamic Resistance in Iraq – al-Warithin Formation claimed responsibility for the attack.
Following the attack, the U.S.-led coalition increased violations of Syrian airspace over al-Tanf. Still, several waves of Russian strikes hit ISIS cells and U.S. proxies near the garrison.
The U.S. claims that it is present in al-Tanf to counter ISIS. Nevertheless, the real purpose of the garrison is to block the strategic Damascus-Baghdad highway. In addition, the garrison is reportedly being used as an outpost to collect intelligence and facilitate Israeli attacks against Syria.
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i’m sure that there must be other more advanced life forms that would love to have this planet as a place that they could call, “home,” it seems as an affliction, of whatever cause, that mankind isn’t suited its own existence.
usa went to syria to remove assads and not isis.
i dont think they ever has excused being there and why.