Click to see full-size image. Source: the SDF Coordination and Military Operations Center.
On March 25, the US-led coalition and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) held a live-fire exercise in the northern countryside of Syria’s Deir Ezzor.
A number of M2A3 Bradley infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) of the US-led coalition took part in the exercise side by side with several IAG Guardian and Humvee armored vehicles of the SDF. Fighter jets and helicopters of the coalition also took part.
During the exercises, Bradley IFVs fired BGM-71 TOW anti-tank missiles (ATGMs). US soldiers also conducted live-firing of FGM-148 Javelin ATGMs.
Joint military trainings by #SDF and #Int_Coalition around #Deir_Ezzor dessert.
That comes as a step of the joint activities and continuing trainings to protect population under anti-terrorism frame.
Setting stability and security &preventing threats is our priorities.@CJTFOIR pic.twitter.com/dl25Vq197I— Coordination & Military Ops Center – SDF (@cmoc_sdf) March 25, 2022
Troops from the Syrian Democratic Forces (#SDF) Special Operations and the #US-led anti-jihadist #Coalition, take part in heavy-weaponry military exercises in the countryside of Deir Ezzor in northeastern #Syria, on March 25, 2022.@Delilsouleman / @AFPphoto pic.twitter.com/FFz0hAUYHk
— Delil souleiman (@Delilsouleman) March 26, 2022
The SDF’s Coordination and Military Operations Center said that the exercise was a step to protect the local population in northeastern Syria from ISIS. From its side, the US-led coalition stressed that it will continue to work with the SDF to ensure a lasting defeat of ISIS.
“Our efforts in building our partners’ capacity reflect our strong partnership and shared determination to ensure the lasting defeat of Daesh. Together with our #SDF partners, we work to advance security and stability in northeastern Syria,” the coalition said on Twitter.
This was the second joint live-fire exercise to be held by the US-led coalition and the SDF in Syria’s northeastern region this year. The first exercise was held in the northern Deir Ezzor countryside on February 18.
Washington has shown no intention of withdrawing from Syria anytime soon. In fact, the US-led has been working to expand its presence in the country’s northeastern in coordination with the SDF, according to recent reports.
The US unwillingness to end its illegitimate military presence in Syria could soon force Damascus and its allies to take more serious measures against this presence.
