Coalition forces respond to enemy drone attacks near base in Syria

US forces have reported an attack by multiple drones in the area of one of its outposts in Syria.

Operation Inherent Resolve forces responded to an attack by multiple unmanned aerial systems (UAS) in the vicinity of Al-Tanf Garrison.

The statement said that the Coalition Forces successfully engaged one UAS preventing its impact, with a second UAS detonated within a Maghaweir al-Thowra (also known as MaT or the Revolutionary Commando Army) forces compound. No casualties or damage was reported.

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It further added that other attempted one-way UAS strikes were not successful.

In a statement, Major General John Brennan, the commander of Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF-OIR), condemned the incident and called for an end to the "harassing attacks".

"Such indiscriminate actions highlight a complete disregard for innocent lives and they undermine the effort to maintain the lasting defeat of ISIS," Maj Gen Brennan said.

He added that the "coalition personnel retain the right to self-defence, and we will take appropriate measures to protect our forces".

The major general further emphasised that CJTF-OIR "continue to work with its partners to counter threats while furthering efforts to ensure regional stability".

The Combined Joint Task Force was established in 2014 in order to formalise ongoing military actions against the threat posed by so-called Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.

Britain is one of the 30 forces making up the US-led coalition but there are no UK troops deployed to Syria.

However in December, a terrorist drone was shot down by Royal Air Force (RAF) fighter jets near the Al-Tanf base, the Ministry of Defence said.

In a tweet, the MaT confirmed the garrison came under attack and posted images of what appears to show the aftermath,

"The garrison was attacked this morning by enemy drones equipped with explosives intended to kill our soldiers," the tweet said. 

Additionally, they shared a message of thanks to the soldiers who "responded with courage".

"We stand together ready to defend the 55km zone and fight for a free Syria," the tweet said.