Three “kamikaze” drones were launched at an outpost containing U.S. troops in the Al-Tanf region of Syria on Friday, according to U.S. Central Command.
No Americans were injured in the attack, but two members of the Syrian Free Army were treated for injuries. Only one of the three drones hit its target, CENTCOM said, while the other two were shot down by Coalition defenses.
#LATEST: US Central Command (CENTCOM) says three drones attacked a coalition outpost in Syria on Friday, injuring two members of the Syrian Free Army – statement pic.twitter.com/gwiDszldXk
— Rudaw English (@RudawEnglish) January 20, 2023
“Attacks of this kind are unacceptable – they place our troops and our partners at risk and jeopardize the fight against ISIS,” CENTCOM spokesperson Joe Buccino said. CENTCOM did not attribute responsibility for the attacks.
Multiple Drone Attack on Coalition Outpost in Syriahttps://t.co/ulfcCcl7QS pic.twitter.com/Ynn16j15ks
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) January 20, 2023
“Kamikaze drones,” also known as loitering munitions, are airborne weapons systems designed to crash into a target and detonate, destroying the drone in the process. They have featured heavily on both sides of the ongoing war in Ukraine, with the U.S. supplying a significant number of kamikaze drones to Ukraine. (RELATED: ‘Terrorism Crimes’: DOJ Slaps ISIS-Funding Company With Over $700 Million Fine)
The United States only has about half as many troops in Syria as it did at the height of the fight against ISIS several years ago, and has suffered fewer than a dozen casualties in the conflict, according to Defense One.