Coalition hits back at Iran-backed groups
A sharp uptick in drone and rocket attacks allegedly by Iran-backed groups have targeted bases housing US-led coalition forces in both Syria and Iraq as part of a push to force all US troops to leave the region.
ERBIL, Iraq – A barrage of attacks have been carried out on facilities in Iraq and eastern Syria hosting forces from the US-led international coalition against the Islamic State (IS) in recent days in Iraq and Syria, with the coalition firing back on Jan. 5.
Six artillery rounds were shot by coalition forces in Syria at groups explicitly referred to as “Iran-supported malign actors” in a coalition press release.
Though missile and drone defense systems have repeatedly been activated in recent days and forces remain on alert, no major damage to facilities or injuries have been reported among the coalition.
The rocket attacks originating from Syrian government-held territory south of the city of Mayadin on the western banks of the Euphrates River did, however, damage buildings used by civilians including a local mosque east of the river, according to a coalition source.
