Syrian, Iran-Backed Forces Suspected To Launch 10 Strikes In East Syria - Pentagon

Ten unidentified strikes in eastern Syria over the weekend are suspected to come from Syrian and Iran-backed forces, Pentagon spokesperson Robert Manning told reporters on Monday.

WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 19th November, 2018) Ten unidentified strikes in eastern Syria over the weekend are suspected to come from Syrian and Iran-backed forces, Pentagon spokesperson Robert Manning told reporters on Monday.

The US-led coalition said in a statement on Saturday that it had detected 10 non-coalition strikes in the Syrian province of Deir ez-Zor amid media reports that the coalition's air raids resulted in massive civilian casualties.

"These strikes were not coordinated with CJTF-OIR and are suspected to come from pro-regime forces and Iranian-backed militias," Manning said I a press briefing. "CJTF-OIR calls on all actors to cease uncoordinated fires across the Euphrates River.

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On Saturday, the SANA news agency reported that the coalition's airstrikes had hit the al-Buqa village near the town of Hajin in Deir ez-Zor leaving 40 civilians dead. The coalition's spokesman Sean Ryan told Sputnik that the coalition had conducted strikes in the area, which, however, did not result in any civilian casualties.

The US-led coalition of more than 70 members has been conducting military operations against the Islamic State terrorist group in Syria since September 2014. The coalition's activities in Syria are authorized neither by the Syrian government, nor by the UN Security Council.