U.S. hikes 'combat power' in Syria, with eye on Iran-backed militia

Iranian Monitor · Jun 2, 2017

I have already commented in another thread how a battle maybe be brewing between those who are itching for a fight with Iranian allied forces in Syria, to accomplish what they couldn't do after plunging Syria into civil war, and those who are opposed to their hegemonic agendas. There are other articles which are discussing how "A showdown could be looming between the US, Iran, and the Assad regime at the Syria-Iraq border". Another article states: "If Trump Wants to Fight Iran, He’ll Soon Get the Chance in Syria".

The propaganda aside, what do you think? What do you expect will be happening in Syria?

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-usa-syria-idUSKBN18S6A9

U.S. hikes 'combat power' in Syria, with eye on Iran-backed militia

The U.S. military said on Thursday it had bolstered its "combat power" in southern Syria, warning that it viewed Iran-backed fighters in the area as a threat to nearby coalition troops fighting Islamic State.

The remarks by a Baghdad-based spokesman for the U.S.-led coalition battling Islamic State was the latest sign of tension in the region, where the United States has forces at the base around the Syrian town of At Tanf supporting local fighters.

Dillon estimated that a small number of Iran-backed forces had remained inside a so-called "deconfliction" zone meant to ensure the safety of U.S.-led coalition forces since a May 18 U.S. strike on their advancing formation.

Meanwhile, a larger number had been massing directly outside the zone, which was agreed between the United States and Russia, which is supporting Assad.

"We see that as a threat," Dillon said.

The U.S. military has also dropped about 90,000 leaflets this week warning the fighters inside the zone to depart, one U.S. official said. Reuters had previously reported on the leaflet drop, citing Hammurabi Justice, a website linked to U.S.-backed Syrian rebel forces known as the Maghawir al Thwra group.

A copy of the leaflets provided to Reuters by the Pentagon told the Iran-backed fighters that any movement toward the At Tanf garrison "will be seen as hostile intent and we will defend our forces."

"You are within an established deconfliction zone, leave the area immediately," another read.

This southeastern area of the Syrian desert, known as the Badia, has become an important front in Syria's civil war between Assad, backed by Iran and Shi'ite militias, and rebels seeking to oust him.

They are competing to capture land held by Islamic State, which is retreating as it comes under intense attack in Iraq and along Syria's Euphrates basin.

Western-backed Syrian rebels said on Wednesday that Russian jets attacked them as they tried to advance against Iran-backed militias.
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U.S. hikes 'combat power' in Syria, with eye on Iran-backed militia

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U.S. hikes 'combat power' in Syria, with eye on Iran-backed militia

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