File image.
On February 20, two warplanes of the Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) flew over the southeastern Syrian area of al-Tanf where the US-led coalition maintains a large garrison.
The coalition’s main proxy group in al-Tanf, the Revolutionary Commando Army (MaT), confirmed that the warplanes were spotted by its fighters. In a propaganda statement, the group claimed that the two warplanes almost collided over al-Tanf.
Around 200 US troops and some 300 MaT fighters are usually present at al-Tanf. The garrison, which was established in 2016, blocks a strategic highway that links the Syrian capital, Damascus, with Iraqi capital, Baghdad.
The US-led coalition maintains a 55 kilometers no-fly zone around the garrison. Despite this, VKS warplanes conduct reconnaissance sorties over the area on a regular basis.
Al-Tanf came under attack on October 20 of last year. The garrison was targeted with five suicide drones and indirect fire. The attack resulted in some serious material damage. However, there were no casualties. US officials believe that Iran or Iranian-backed forces were behind the attack.
The VKS is apparently keeping an eye on al-Tanf, where the US-led coalition maintains several M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS). The systems can be armed with MGM-140 ATACMS tactical ballistic missiles with a range of 300 kilometers.
