ERBIL, Iraq – An AH-64E Apache helicopter from the 4th Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment, Task Force Saber, hovers prior to taking off to conduct a mission, July 11,2017, Erbil, Iraq. (U.S. Army photo by Capt. Stephen James)
On March 3, the United States-led coalition reinforced one of its largest bases in northeastern Syria, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
The London-based monitoring group reported that a convoy, consisting of 30 trucks carrying logistics and weapons, arrived at al-Shaddadi base in the southern countryside of al-Hasakah. The convoy entered the northeastern region from the neighboring Iraqi Kurdistan Region.
Like most coalition installations in the northeastern region, al-Shaddadi base was established within a gas and an oil field. Several U.S. transport and attack helicopters are usually deployed at the large base.
The U.S. maintains some 900 troops between its bases in al-Hasakah and Deir Ezzor in the northeastern region and its garrison in the southeastern area of al-Tanf. The deployment is allegedly directed against ISIS.
U.S.-led coalition bases in Syria came under attack on several occasions in the last few months. The coalition’s Green Village base, which is located in al-Omar oil fields, was targeted with two rockets on February 18. The attack didn’t result in any casualties or material losses. No group claimed responsibility. However, Iranian-backed armed factions were unofficially blamed for the attack.
The coalition reinforced many of its bases in Syria over the past year, The U.S. is apparently planning to keep its troops in Syria for the long term under the pretext of fighting ISIS.
MORE ON THIS TOPIC:
How about Russia making retaliatory strikes at US bases outside of the US such as in Syria or at least enabling Syria to do so, this would be an entirely legitimate strike.