The U.S. Expands Its Footprint In Syria

FILE PHOTO: Forces loyal to Syria's President Bashar al-Assad flash victory signs and waves a Syrian national flag atop of a tank in the Badia, in the southeast Syrian desert, in this handout picture provided by SANA on June 13, 2017, Syria. SANA/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo

Reuters: Exclusive: U.S. expands presence in Syrian desert, rebels say

U.S. troops based in Syria's southeastern desert have expanded their footprint, rebels there say, increasing the risk of direct ground confrontation between the Americans and Iran-backed pro-government forces.

U.S. special forces have been based since last year at Tanf, a strategic Syrian highway border crossing with Iraq, where the Americans have assisted rebels trying to recapture territory from fleeing Islamic State fighters.

The U.S.-backed Syrian rebels in the area are in competition with pro-government forces who are also trying to recapture territory from Islamic State.

On several occasions in recent weeks, warplanes of the U.S.-led coalition have struck pro-government forces to prevent them advancing, in what Washington has described as self defense.

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WNU Editor: The U.S. is bringing in the fire-power .... US deploys mobile missile system to eastern Syria (AP).

Update: Here are the photos that shows this U.S. presence .... Photos show US joint patrols with rebels in southern Syria (Threat Matrix). Talk about the U.S. sending a message to everyone that they are there .... and you better not mess with us.