The US-led coalition destroyed more pro-Assad forces at a growing hotspot in the Syrian desert

pulse

June 6, 2017 9:21 PM

Coalition airstrikes on pro-Assad forces on June 6 are the latest confrontation between powers in southeastern Syria.

A US fighter near a military vehicle, north of Raqqa city, Syria, November 6, 2016.

US-led coalition forces destroyed what were reportedly pro-Syrian regime forces near al Tanf in southeast Syria on Tuesday, Operation Inherent Resolve officials said in a release.

According to the release, pro-Assad forces, consisting of a tank, artillery, antiaircraft weapons, armed technical vehicles, and more than 60 troops, entered the "well-established de-confliction zone."

That zone covers a 34-mile radius around al Tanf, which is located near the intersection of the Syrian, Iraqi, and Jordanian borders.

"The Coalition issued several warnings via the de-confliction line prior to destroying two artillery pieces, an anti-aircraft weapon, and damaging a tank," the release said.

This is the second time in a month that coalition forces have engaged pro-regime forces around al Tanf, where coalition advisers train local partners (and where US and partner forces repulsed a fierce ISIS attack in April).

On May 18, coalition airstrikes targeted pro-Assad forces said in a release at the time

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