US training SDF militants on operating drones, piloting helicopters

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Al Mayadeen Net
18 Dec 2023 16:35

Reliable sources reveal to Al Mayadeen that the US occupation forces in Syria conducted exercises with SDF militants at the Kharab al-Jir occupation base, north of al-Hasakah province.

American soldiers driving a Bradley fighting vehicle during a joint exercise with SDF militants in the countryside of Deir Ezzor in northeastern Syria, Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2021 (AP)

Reliable sources revealed to Al Mayadeen that the US occupation forces in Syria conducted exercises with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) militants at the Kharab al-Jir base in the countryside of al-Malikiyah, north of al-Hasakah province. These exercises included helicopter piloting and airborne landing drills.

The sources added that the United States is pursuing an already set plan aimed at training a special group affiliated with the SDF to pilot helicopters at Erbil Airport, previously targeted by Turkey when Mazloum Abdi, the military leader of the SDF, was present.

About a year ago, a helicopter carrying several SDF leaders and members crashed in the Sulaimaniyah province of Iraq. Turkey claimed that the crash took place during a training by US forces for SDF members on helicopter piloting.

Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler on Saturday expressed Ankara's strong disapproval of the US military exercises with the Kurdish militant group PKK in Syria, a group recognized by Ankara as a "terrorist organization". He emphasized that Turkey is closely monitoring the situation.

According to our sources, the US conducted drone training for SDF members at al-Shadadi military base. It was noted that the SDF aim to add drones to their weapon stock.

The United States launched a series of extensive maneuvers called "Operation Blue Arrow" last week, aiming to enhance the combat capabilities of its forces and partner forces with the SDF. This comes in response to increased attacks on US bases in Syria and Iraq by the Iraqi Resistance.

A Fox News correspondent posted on X that "US forces attacked for the 100th time since October 17, the latest reportedly in Syria."

This came after the recent targeting of the US occupation bases in al-Omar oil field and Conoco gas plant in northeastern Syria, yesterday afternoon, on Saturday.

U.S. forces attacked for the 100th time since October 17, the latest reportedly in Syria: https://t.co/cWDzsDUU0P
— Lucas Tomlinson (@LucasFoxNews) December 16, 2023

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq announced earlier that it conducted 11 operations against US occupation bases in Iraq and Syria in a single day. The group utilized dozens of missiles and drones in these operations.

On the other hand, earlier this month, the US Department of Defense stated that the rate of attacks against the US military in Iraq and Syria has increased by 45% since the end of November up until the beginning of December.