- Sputnik International
World
Get the latest news from around the world, live coverage, off-beat stories, features and analysis.

US Coalition Strike Accidentally Kills 18 Kurdish-Led Moderate Rebels in Syria

© REUTERS / Rodi SaidEngineers, journalists and Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) fighters run for cover after Islamic State shelled positions held by the SDF at the Tabqa Dam on the Euphrates River, Syria
Engineers, journalists and Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) fighters run for cover after Islamic State shelled positions held by the SDF at the Tabqa Dam on the Euphrates River, Syria - Sputnik International
Subscribe
The US-led coalition accidentally struck the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in Tabqa, killing 18 moderate Syrian rebels fighting against Daesh. The incident occurred on April 11.

"The strike was requested by the partnered forces, who had identified the target location as an ISIS [Daesh] fighting position," the US Central Command said in a press release.

"The target location was actually a forward Syrian Democratic Forces fighting position."

A Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) fighter rests with his weapon on a vehicle camouflaged with mud, north of Raqqa city, Syria November 7, 2016 - Sputnik International
Syrian Democratic Forces Liberate Another Village From Daesh Near al-Tabqa
The coalition is probing the cause of the incident, according to the release.

Tabqa, which is believed to be the last stronghold of Daesh is located some 40 kilometers (25 miles) away from Raqqa. Taking the city is part of the operation to liberate Raqqa with the offensive against Tabqa having started on March 21.

In November 2016, the SDF, which predominately consists of Kurdish fighters but also includes members of the Syrian Arab Coalition, launched an operation called the Rage of Euphrates to seize control over Syrian Raqqa, the de facto Daesh capital.

Earlier in April, the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) have gained control of all the roads leading to the northern Syrian city of Tabqa.

Newsfeed
0
To participate in the discussion
log in or register
loader
Chats
Заголовок открываемого материала