Click to see full-size image, source: sdf-press.com
On February 18, the US-led coalition and its proxy, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), held live-fire drills near Abu Khashab road in the northern countryside of Syria’s Deir Ezzor.
M2A3 Bradley infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) of the coalition took part in the drills side by side with IAG Guardian and Humvee armored vehicles of the SDF.
In a statement, the SDF said that the drills were held to test new tactics to counter ISIS cells as well as to demonstrate new fire support methods and rapid deployment procedures.
“These drills come to affirm the partnership between our forces and the international coalition to counter the threat of ISIS terrorism and ensure the security and stability of the [northeastern Syrian] region,” the statement reads.
On the same day, the US-led coalition announced that it had deployed additional M2A3 Bradley IFVs in northeastern Syria. The coalition said that the decision to deploy the vehicles was motivated by the January 20 ISIS attack on al-Hasakah prison.
The US-led coalition appears to be using ISIS’s last attack as an excuse to expand its presence in the northeastern region. Despite facing some pressure, the coalition will not likely withdraw its forces from Syria anytime soon.
