US says coalition airstrike hits pro-regime convoy in Syria
US-led coalition aircraft on Thursday struck a pro-regime convoy in Syria as it headed toward a remote coalition garrison near the Jordanian border, a US defense official said.
- World
- AP
- Published Date: 12:00 | 18 May 2017
- Modified Date: 12:39 | 19 May 2017
U.S. officials say an American airstrike has hit pro-Syrian government forces in southern Syria as they were setting up fighting positions in a protected area.
The officials say the strike near Tanf hit a tank and a bulldozer and forces there, but it was not clear if they were Syrian army troops or other pro-government allies.
One official says the pro-regime forces had entered a so-called "de-confliction" zone without authorization and were perceived as a threat to U.S.-allied troops there. The officials say the strike was a defensive move to protect the U.S. allies. It wasn't clear if U.S. forces were there.
The officials weren't authorized to speak publicly on the matter and demanded anonymity.