Drone strikes US occupation base in Syria’s al-Hasakah
3 Min Read
Early Saturday morning, multiple explosions were reported at the US-controlled Kharab al-Jir Air Base in Syria’s northeastern al-Hasakah province.
-
Illustrative: a convoy of US armored vehicles patrols the northeastern Syrian town of Qahtaniyah at the border with Turkey. (AFP)
Al Mayadeen's correspondent, citing local sources in Syria, reported multiple explosions at the US-controlled Kharab al-Jir Air Base in the northeastern al-Hasakah province early on Saturday morning. The explosions followed a strike by an explosive-laden unmanned aerial vehicle. As of now, there are no immediate reports of casualties or details on the extent of the damage sustained.
This is happening as the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have intensified their siege on areas under Syrian government control in the cities of al-Hasakah and Qamishli. The escalation comes after the SDF accused Syrian security forces of orchestrating a recent attack by Arab tribes in Deir Ezzor, eastern Syria, on Wednesday.
The siege includes the complete closure of government-controlled areas in Al-Hasakah, Qamishli, and their surrounding regions, including the road leading to Qamishli International Airport.
The SDF has restricted the movement of vehicles and trucks, including those carrying essential supplies like fuel, flour, food, and vegetables. The blockade has raised concerns of an impending humanitarian crisis.
In addition, the SDF detained several Syrian army officers and soldiers at its checkpoints. Field sources reported to Al Mayadeen that the SDF's goal with this siege is to pressure the Syrian army, which in turn, is expected to exert pressure on the tribal forces to prevent further attacks on SDF positions in the Deir Ezzor countryside.
The sources highlighted that the unrest in Deir Ezzor is a reaction to the SDF's policies towards the tribes, which have led to armed resistance against the SDF in the region.
Amid these tensions, Russian mediation efforts have been reported, aimed at resolving the siege imposed by the SDF and ending the blockade.
US bolsters bases in northeastern Syria with Apache helicopters
The US military is continuing to bolster its bases in the occupied al-Hasakah province of northeastern Syria, deploying additional Apache helicopters and military equipment, according to a Syrian military source cited by Sputnik last Saturday.
"US forces have reinforced their bases with 15 Apache helicopters to improve their ability to conduct attacks," the source added.
At the time, a Syrian military source told Sputnik that a US military plane landed at the Kharab al-Jir base, carrying military equipment, air defense missiles, logistics materials, and 25 service members.
Earlier the same day, the US DoD announced that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin would oversee the deployment of more forces to the Middle East to support "Israel," though the exact number of additional troops has yet to be determined.
In the past two weeks, the Israeli regime has assassinated two high-ranking Resistance leaders and carried out an air aggression on Yemen.
Read next: Syrian Tribes initiate wide-scale op to reclaim US-occupied territory
