US Conducts Strike in Syria Amid Rising Tensions

The United States has confirmed a military strike in eastern Syria targeting weapon systems perceived as an imminent threat to its forces. The Pentagon spokesperson, Pat Ryder, announced that the operation destroyed rocket launchers and a tank after a rocket attack near the Military Support Site (MSS) Euphrates, a US base in the region.

This development unfolds as Syria experiences an escalation in violence. Armed opposition groups recently launched a significant offensive against government forces led by President Bashar al-Assad in northwest Syria, marking a shift in the country’s prolonged civil war. These events have sparked concerns about potential US entanglement, given its military presence in the area.

The Pentagon emphasized that the US action was independent of broader activities in northwest Syria and that the responsible party for the rocket attack remains unclear. However, Iranian-backed groups and Syrian government forces are known to operate in the vicinity.

Meanwhile, the Syrian government has accused the US of supporting the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in clashes against government-controlled areas near Deir ez-Zor. Syrian state media reported ongoing battles between SDF and government troops, allegedly aided by US airstrikes, a claim denied by Washington.

The SDF stated that its recent operations were aimed at countering ISIS threats, citing appeals from local communities concerned about ISIS movements. The group has been a long-standing ally of the US in combating ISIS, although its involvement in broader conflicts has drawn criticism.

In the country’s northwest, rebel forces led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) launched an offensive last week, challenging government positions and advancing towards Hama. The move comes at a time when Assad’s key allies—Russia, Iran, and Hezbollah—are preoccupied with other conflicts, potentially altering the dynamics of the war.

The US maintains approximately 900 troops in Syria and a close alliance with the SDF. Despite accusations of involvement in the rebel offensive, Washington has reiterated its stance against HTS, which it designates as a terrorist organization. The situation remains fluid as Syria’s longstanding conflict enters a potentially transformative phase.