Tensions Between The U.S. And Russia Have Almost Spilled Over Into Direct Fighting In Syria

U.S. soldiers stand along a road across from Russian military armored personnel carriers (APCs), near the village of Tannuriyah in the countryside east of Qamishli in Syria's northeastern Hasakah province, May 2, 2020. (AFP Photo)  

Task & Purpose: Russia keeps having close calls with American forces in Syria  

CENTCOM politely said that Russian forces are being "provocative."  

Tensions between the United States and Russia almost spilled over into direct fighting in Syria. The Wall Street Journal reported this past week of a Russian airstrike on an American military base in Syria. No American forces were wounded or killed at the al-Tanf garrison, as they were not on site, and Russia warned the U.S. in advance, saying it was targeting forces opposed to Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad. It was one of several close calls in June. 

Al-Tanf, a U.S. outpost set up in southeastern Syria near Jordan. American troops have been using it as a base of operations for counterterrorism and training local allied Kurdish forces to fight remnants of ISIS. Just under 1,000 soldiers are in Syria. The exact number of troops at al-Tanf isn’t known, but reports put it at around 150-200, with the majority of Americans there being part of special operations forces.  

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WNU Editor: At least the Russians called the US to tell them that they were going to launch an air strike. But all that it takes is one small mistake and/or miscommunication .... and before we know it US and Russian military forces are fighting against each other. 

Tensions Between The U.S. And Russia Have Almost Spilled Over Into Direct Fighting In Syria  

Moscow’s provocations in Syria risk conflict with US, military officials warn -- Al Arabiya  

Russia Conducted ‘Series of Operations’ in Syria Against US Occupation Forces, US Media Claim -- Sputnik  

Russia warned US it was going to conduct airstrikes on fighters in Syria -- CNN