The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that unidentified aircraft struck targets near the Syrian-Iraqi border late last night (Friday). The UK-based Observatory mentioned a massive explosion and noted the sound of aircraft flying at the same time in the village of Al-Sukkariya in the Al-Bukamal countryside on the Syrian-Iraqi border.
Rami Abdul Rahman, head of the Observatory, told the German News Agency that the area is predominantly controlled by Iranian militias and Iran-affiliated groups. Local sources in Deir ez-Zor province reported earlier that U.S.
airstrikes targeted a convoy of vehicles in Al-Sukkariya near the Syrian-Iraqi border. These sources indicated that several vehicles caught fire, and explosions were heard in the vicinity.
The Observatory also mentioned that it is not yet clear if the strike targeted individuals present in the area or a truck carrying ammunition. U.S. forces have been deployed in Syria since 2015 to assist Syrian Kurds and other allies in the fight against the extremist group ISIS.
The recent airstrikes near the Syrian-Iraqi border are part of an ongoing conflict involving U.S. forces, Iranian militias, and their proxies. Since 2015, U.S. troops have been stationed in Syria to assist local forces in combating ISIS. The region, particularly the Deir ez-Zor area, has seen frequent clashes and airstrikes due to its strategic importance and the presence of various armed groups, including those backed by Iran.
Iranian-backed militias, such as Kata’ib Hezbollah and Kata’ib Sayyid al-Shuhada, have been active in both Iraq and Syria, often targeting U.S. and coalition forces. These groups have received significant support from Iran, including funding, weapons, and military training, primarily through Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The U.S. has periodically conducted airstrikes against these militias in response to their attacks on American personnel and interests in the region.
The airstrikes often lead to heightened tensions between the U.S. and Iran, with both sides engaging in a cycle of retaliatory actions. These conflicts have broader implications for regional stability and U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East. Despite efforts to limit escalation, incidents like these continue to pose significant risks of broader conflicts involving multiple state and non-state actors.
