Dozens killed in US-led coalition airstrike in Syria: state media

Published February 8, 2018
A picture taken on February 7, 2018 shows Syrian civil defence volunteers attempting to put out a fire in the city of Maaret al-Numan in the rebel-held Idlib province, following reported regime air strikes according to the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. — AFP
A picture taken on February 7, 2018 shows Syrian civil defence volunteers attempting to put out a fire in the city of Maaret al-Numan in the rebel-held Idlib province, following reported regime air strikes according to the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. — AFP

Syrian state media confirmed on Thursday that dozens of fighters were killed in United States (US)-led coalition strikes overnight but appeared to deny the victims were soldiers.

“In a new aggression and in an attempt to support terrorism, coalition forces targeted popular forces” in the eastern province of Deir Ezzor, state television said, apparently referring to paramilitary groups allied to the regime.

According to a US military official, at least 100 pro-regime fighters were killed in what the US Central Command said were retaliatory strikes.

State media acknowledged that what it termed “popular forces” were targeting the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which are supported by the coalition and host its advisers on its bases.

The state news agency SANA said the fighters hit by the coalition were “battling Daesh terrorist and SDF groups”, referring to the militant Islamic State group and the Kurdish-dominated militia respectively.

Opinion

Editorial

Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...
New terror wave
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

New terror wave

The time has come for decisive government action against militancy.
Development costs
27 Mar, 2024

Development costs

A HEFTY escalation of 30pc in the cost of ongoing federal development schemes is one of the many decisions where the...
Aitchison controversy
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

Aitchison controversy

It is hoped that higher authorities realise that politics and nepotism have no place in schools.