US-led force ‘kills 100’ pro-Assad fighters to fend off an attack
Fighting escalates in Deir Ezzor in one its deadliest confrontations yet with forces backing Damascus
Beirut — The US-led coalition said Thursday it killed at least 100 pro-regime fighters to fend off an attack on its allies in eastern Syria, in one its deadliest confrontations yet with forces backing Damascus. The initial attack was carried out by forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad on key oil and gas installations in parts of Deir Ezzor province controlled by US-backed Kurdish forces. The clash came against a backdrop of escalating tensions between Washington and Damascus over a rise in the suspected use of chemical weapons by the regime and allied militia. Meanwhile, regime warplanes rained bombs for a fourth consecutive day on the rebel-held enclave of Eastern Ghouta, outside Damascus, where the death toll soared to 170 since Monday. According to the US Central Command, coalition advisers were present in the area that was attacked by pro-government forces in Deir Ezzor province late on Wednesday. "The coalition conducted strikes against attacking forces to repel the act of...
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