Pentagon: Russia hit US-backed forces in Syria

By Kasim Ileri

WASHINGTON

Russia has hit U.S.-backed anti-Daesh forces in a series of airstrikes in southern Syria near al-Tanf, a Pentagon told Anadolu Agency on Friday.

“Russian aircraft have not been active in this area of southern Syria for some time, and there were no Syrian regime or Russian ground forces in the vicinity,” a senior U.S. defense official said in an email.

Following the first strike, the U.S. military asked Moscow through emergency channels to stop the assault, according to some American media, but the official did not provide additional information.

“Russia’s latest actions raise serious concern about Russian intentions. We will seek an explanation from Russia on why it took this action and assurances this will not happen again,” he added.