The United States quietly withdrew Army National Guard M2 Bradley Fighting Vehicles from Eastern Syria less than two months after making a very public show of sending the armored vehicles to that country late last year. This revelation comes amid continuing questions about the future of the U.S. military presence in Syria, in general.
U.S. forces are now patrolling oil and gas-related sites in at least two distinct regions of Syria, including one that is situated close to where Russian personnel aligned with the Syrian regime of Bashar Al Assad are also operating as part of a deal between Russia and Turkey. This all comes as U.S. forces elsewhere in northern Syria have again found themselves at risk of attack from Turkish-backed forces, though thankfully the artillery fire did not cause any American casualties.
A contingent of Army National Guard M2A2 Bradley Fighting Vehicles is on its way aboard U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III transport aircraft to a forward position in Deir Ez Zor in the eastern portion of that country Syria. This appears to be the first wave of heavy armored forces headed to the area as part of plan, ostensibly aimed at ensuring that ISIS does not regain control of oil and gas fields in that province, which the Pentagon formally announced last week.
The U.S. military is reportedly considering sending a task force equipped with tanks or other armored vehicles to establish an outpost overlooking oil and gas fields in eastern Syria. Where and to what degree the United States intends to maintain a military presence in Syria has been the subject of intense scrutiny and speculation following the start of a major Turkish operation into the northern part of the country two weeks ago, which then precipitated a major American withdrawal.
There was little doubt about who was responsible for the 2007 strike, which raises questions about why the country has acknowledged it now.
US Army Brigadier General Jonathan Braga confirms American troops killed hundreds of Russians in one battle and worried it could have escalated.
Despite the Kremlin’s denials and the US government downplaying the situation, the two sides appear headed for a serious confrontation.
Three hour battle with Assad’s forces is a reminder that other parties may not give the US the choice of staying out of Syria’s civil war.
The US-backed coalition responded with air or artillery strikes to drive attackers away from one of its forward bases in the country.
How the situation plays out could be a sign of things to come as ISIS stumbles and the conflict evolves.
