121st month of Coalition operations in Syria | 14 attacks by Iranian-backed militias target US bases and 400 trucks and 15 cargo planes and helicopters carrying military reinforcement arrive in US military bases in Syria
Completing the 121st consecutive month of military operations against the “Islamic State” in Syria, the International Coalition continues sending military reinforcement to SDF-held areas, carrying out raids, arrests and various security campaigns in several areas controlled by SDF. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, in turn, tracked and monitored all operations and movement of the International Coalition during the past month.
In the 121st month of International Coalition operations in Syria, nearly 400 trucks and vehicles affiliated to the Coalition, carrying military and logistical supplies, crossed into Syria from the Kurdistan Region of Iraq in four batches on the 23rd and 27th of September and the 9th and 15th of October. The trucks headed to the Coalition’s military bases in Al-Hasakah and Deir Ezzor in north-east Syria region.
The International Coalition also brought in reinforcement by air, where SOHR documented the arrival of nearly 15 cargo planes and helicopters in bases in Al-Hasakah and Deir Ezzor in the past month. The cargo aircraft carried military and logistical supplies and soldiers.
On the other hand, Iranian-backed groups in Iraq and Syria continued to escalate their attacks on US bases in Syria as a part of retaliatory measures against the US forces amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
In the period between September 23 and October 22, SOHR documented 14 attacks by Iranian-backed groups, mainly the “Islamic Resistance in Iraq,” on US bases in Syria; they are distributed as follows:
- US base in Koniko gas field: 11 attacks.
- Al-Tanf garrison: One attack.
- Kharab Al-Jair base: One attack.
- Al-Shaddadi base: One attack.
Here are further details:
- September 26: An explosion was heard in the area of the US base in Koniko Gas Field in Deir Ezzor countryside after the base was targeted by rockets by gunmen of a motorbike, who are believed to belong to Iranian militias and to have passed SDF-held areas via smuggling.
- September 28: The US base in Koniko factory in the northern countryside of Deir Ezzor was attacked by a single missile fired by Iranian militias within regime-held areas.
- September 28: Violent explosions were heard after a kamikaze drone that is believed to belong to Iran-backed militias, targeting the US base in “Koniko” Gas Field in northern Deir Ezzor countryside.
- October 1: The Airforce Defences in Al-Tanf Base intercepted Iranian missiles over the junction of borders between Syria, Jordan and Iraq. Moreover, the US forces in Koniko Field in Deir Ezzor countryside fired missiles to intercept the Iranian missiles over the region, while the Airforce Defences managed to shoot down several Iranian missiles.
- October 3: Iran-backed groups fired missiles on the US base in Al-Shaddadi in Al-Hasakah countryside, where one of the shells landed on a house near the base. The attack left a member of the SDF-backed Self-defence Forces dead and 12 others injured.
- October 4: The US base in “Koniko” Gas Field in Al-Ezba area in northern Deir Ezzor countryside was attacked by several missiles fired by Iran-backed militias and was attacked by a drone, where a violent explosion was heard inside the base coinciding with the anti-aircraft weapons in the base intercepting several missiles and shooting them down. This was followed by a response by the forces inside the base targeting the source of the attack.
- October 8: Air-defences in the US base in Koniko gas field in Deir Ezzor countryside shot down a missile in the airspace of the base, after having been fired from areas dominated by Iranian-backed militias. Meanwhile, US forces in the base have been put on high alert.
- October 14: The Airforce Defences of the US base in “Koniko” Field in Deir Ezzor countryside blocked an attack by at least one drone launched by Iran-backed groups from an unknown destination, where the drone was shot down before reaching the base.
- October 15: The US ground anti-aircraft system in “Kharab Al-Jeir” airbase in Rumailan countryside in northern Al-Hasakah intercepted a kamikaze drone launched by Iranian-backed groups, while attempting to attack the base. However, US forces were unable to shoot the drone down.
- October 16: Iran-backed groups fired mortar shells on the US base in Koniko Gas Field in Deir Ezzor countryside.
- October 17: Anti-aircraft systems in the US base in Koniko gas field in Deir Ezzor countryside foiled an attack by drones, while attempting to attack the base. At least one drone was shot down, while flying near the base.
- October 17: A new round of drone attacks targeted the US base in Koniko gas field, after anti-aircraft systems foiled the first round. However, no casualties have been reported.
- October 19: Iran-backed groups fired a missile towards the US base in Koniko Gas Field. In return, the US forces responded to the source of fire.
- October 22: Iran-backed groups attacked the US base in Koniko Gas Field with missiles.
Meanwhile, US forces reacted to those attacks by five rounds of aerial attacks, targeting positions of Iranian-backed militias in Deir Ezzor province, leaving human and material losses.
Here are further details on the US attacks on positions of Iranian-backed militias in the past month:
- October 2: US fighter jets executed several airstrikes around the US base in Al-Shaddadi in Al-Hasakah countryside.
- October 5: SOHR sources have reported hearing a loud explosion in Al-Bukamal city near Syria-Iraq border, as a result of an attack carried out by an unknown drone, targeting a vehicle to Iranian-backed militias, where smoke was seen rising from the targeted site.
- October 6: Violent explosions were heard due to an attack by drones of unknown sources on the southern section of Ayash warehouses of Iranian militias in western Deir Ezzor countryside, along with an attack with heavy machineguns, where the sound of the explosions were heard in neighbourhoods of Deir Ezzor City. However, no casualties were reported.
- October 11: An anonymous drone attacked a car in the vicinity of the clinic in Mahkan Town in areas of regime and Iranian militias. The attack left a man dead and four others injured.
- October 17: Fighter jets of the International Coalition attacked centres of Iranian-backed militias near Deir Ezzor airbase following attacks by drones targeting the US base in Koniko gas field in Deir Ezzor countryside.
In addition, Coalition Forces conducted ground strikes almost daily, targeting positions and troops of Iranian-backed militias. Here are further details:
- October 8: SOHR activists have reported hearing three loud explosions in an area to the north of Deir Ezzor military airbase in the “seven-villages” area, which is located nearly four kilometres away from the US base in Koniko gas field. According to SOHR sources, the explosions were caused by bombardment with artillery shells fired by International Coalition Forces on that area, reacting to the attack with a missile fired from areas dominated by Iranian-backed militias targeting the US base.
- October 9: International Coalition Forces stationed in “Koniko” gas field fired missiles on positions of Iranian militias in Hatla and Huwayjat Sakr in Deir Ezzor countryside. However, no casualties were reported.
- October 10: The “International Coalition” forces stationed in the base of Koniko Gas Field fired missiles and heavy artillery shells on missile launch pads of Iran-backed militias near Deir Ezzor City and the military airport.
- October 11: The “International Coalition” Forces stationed in “Koniko” Gas Field in northern Deir Ezzor countryside, fired two missiles on the outskirts of Deir Ezzor City that is held by regime and Iranian militias. However, no casualties were reported.
- October 12: The “International Coalition” Forces fired four missiles from “Koniko” Gas Field on positions of Iranian militias in Jafra and Huwayjat Sakr in Deir Ezzor countryside.
- October 12: A Syrian member of Iranian militias killed and another was injured, after the “International Coalition” Forces stationed in “Koniko” Gas Field fire d missiles on areas of the regime and Iranian militias, where Hatla Town in Deir Ezzor countryside was targeted by several missiles.
- October 13: The “International Coalition” Forces stationed in base of Koniko Field in Deir Ezzor countryside, fired missiles on the area of Deir Ezzor Military Airport, where regime forces and Iranian militias are stationed.
- October 14: Four people including a woman and a child were injured by artillery shelling on Morat Foqany Village in Deir Ezzor countryside, fired from the US base in Koniko Field. The US base in Koniko fired heavy artillery shells on positions of Iranian militias in Al-Mari’iya, Al-Jafra, Huwayjat Sakr and the outskirts of Deir Ezzor Airport.
- October 15: The US base in Koniko Gas Field in Deir Ezzor countryside attacked positions of regime forces and Iran-backed militias known as the “seven villages” in Deir Ezzor countryside.
- October 16: “International Coalition” Forces fired heavy artillery shells from its Koniko Gas Field in Deir Ezzor, targeting positions of the regime and Iranian militias western of Deir Ezzor.
- October 17: Coalition Forces fired artillery shells on positions in areas controlled by regime forces and Iranian-backed militias in Deir Ezzor countryside.
- October 18: The “International Coalition” Forces in the base of “Koniko” Gas Field in Deir Ezzor countryside, fired artillery shells on Murat, Hatla and Khasham Towns in areas of the regime and Iranian militias in Deir Ezzor countryside.
- October 19: The “International Coalition” Forces in base of “Koniko” Gas Field in Deir Ezzor countryside, fired heavy artillery shells on Khasham and Murat Towns in areas of Iranian militias eastern of Euphrates.
- October 20: International Coalition Forces stationed in “Koniko” gas field in Deir Ezzor countryside fired artillery shells on positions of regime forces and Iranian-backed militias nearby Deir Ezzor city.
- October 22: The “International Coalition” Forces in the base of “Koniko” Gas Field, shelled Murat and Khasham Towns in areas of the regime and Iranian militias in Deir Ezzor countryside.
Separately, SOHR activists reported that the International Coalition conducted 12 rounds of military drills in different bases in Deir Ezzor and Al-Hasakah provinces and Al-Tanf area, SDF participated in some of them.
In the past month, SOHR activists also documented the participation of the International Coalition in four joint security operations with SDF, namely raids and airdrops, arresting three ISIS members and commanders.
The joint security operation also left two ISIS members dead; further details are summarised as follows:
September 29: The “International Coalition” carried out an airdrop operation, in cooperation with SDF, in Thiban area in the eastern countryside of Deir Ezzor. The operation targeted a member of “ISIS”. Clashes took place between him and the forces, resulting in his death and the transfer of his body.
October 9: One person was killed and another was arrested following an operation carried out by “SDF” forces with the participation of the “International Coalition” forces, during a raid on a house in Sweidan Jazirah town in the eastern countryside of Deir Ezzor, on charges of belonging to “ISIS” cells, amid intensive flight of the “coalition” aircraft in the sky of the region.
On the other hand, nine jihadists opposed to “Al-Jolani” were killed on September 24, including at least six leaders of Syrian and non-Syrian nationalities, in an attack by an “unknown” drone, yesterday evening, on two military headquarters in Duwayr Al-Akrad area near Kabanah hills in Latakia countryside, during a meeting they were holding. According to SOHR information, the dead are: (a Jordanian jihadist, an Iraqi jihadist and seven Syrians) belonging to “Jund Al-Islam” organization and others who are independent, and they are all opponents of “Al-Jolani” and some of them were detained in his prisons, and some of them fought HTS.
October 2024: Another month passes and no investigation into alleged Coalition massacres
Despite SOHR repeated and “unheeded” appeals, International Coalition and SDF have not announced the results of interrogations with ISIS detainees and what happened to the thousands of abductees. The Syrian Observatory had previously called upon the international community to investigate reports regarding the killing of 200 ISIS operatives and their families, women, and children, in a massacre committed by the Coalition’s jets by bombing Al-Baghouz camp on March 21, 2019.
According to SOHR sources, 200 bodies were buried at dawn on that particular day, without information on whether the International Coalition was aware of the presence of children and women from ISIS families inside the camp or not.
However, all these appeals remain unanswered. Therefore, SOHR renews its calls and appeals to all relevant parties to disclose and announce the whole facts and hold accountable those responsible for the massacres and violations over the past five years, during which the Coalition was actively involved in the Syrian crisis.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, while providing adequate monitoring of Coalition operations in Syria, stresses once more that it would have been possible to avoid the heavy losses of Syrian civilian lives if the International Coalition had not ignored SOHR’s calls to spare and protect civilians from its military operations, where the presence of Islamic State militants or other jihadist groups in a civilian area does not in any way justify the blank and discriminate bombardment of the area and the loss of civilian lives.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also stresses that the negative impact of Turkish military intervention on civilians could have been avoided, if US Presidents had applied enough pressure on their Turkish counterparts to stop a new humanitarian crisis, displacing thousands and killing and injuring hundreds.
On the other hand, we at SOHR would like to remind the world that the oil and gas resources, controlled by the International Coalition, belong only to the Syrian people. Therefore, all the concerned parties are obliged under international laws and norms to preserve these resources and ensure that they will not be stolen or seized in any way; these resources do not belong to the “regime”, “Iran” or any other party; they belong only to the people of Syria, who have been suffering the brutalities of an ongoing war for over ten years. SOHR also warns of the repercussions of exploiting these sources, seizing them, or depriving the Syrians of their rights to resources.