Syrian Army confirms US strike on military convoy

The Syrian Army on Friday confirmed reports about a US-led airstrike on a military convoy near the Iraqi border, saying Washington's attempt will not terrorise the army from continuing to fight the terrorist groups.

The army in a statement said the US-led anti-terror coalition attacked one of the military positions near the Tanf area on Thursday, leaving many personnel dead and causing some material losses, Xinhua news agency reported.

The army described the attack as a "flagrant aggression", and added that it exposes the "false allegations of the coalition about fighting terrorism".

A day earlier, the US-led coalition struck Syrian forces near Tanf as the forces were advancing toward an area controlled by the US-led rebels, where British and US bases are reportedly located.

Reports said the coalition fired warning shots to prevent the army forces from advancing before hitting the convoy.

The statement said the US claims that they had warned the forces from advancing before firing were completely rejected.

It said "those who claim to be fighting terrorist groups, should not fire at the Syrian army because it's the legitimate force fighting the groups, but should direct their fire against the terrorist groups".

According to Russian officials on Friday, the new US strike undermines anti-terrorism efforts in the region.

"The new US strike on government troops in Syria is a continuation of Washington's non-constructive policy," said Leonid Slutsky, the head of the International Affairs Committee of the State Duma, the lower chamber of the Russian parliament.

He said the unilateral action undoubtedly hinders the negotiation process on a Syrian settlement and undermines anti-terrorism cooperation and coordination.

Russia supports the ceasefire in Syria while the US weakens the effort fighting against terrorist groups, he added.

--IANS

py/vt