Are U.S. And Iranian Backed Forces About To Face Each Other In Syria?

Iran Focus: US and Iran Could Face off in Syria

Over the past six years, the US and Iran have maintained an uneasy peace in Syria but this may be about to end as their forces draw closer in the east and south of the country.

The unspoken truce was broken on May 18, when the US-led coalition, which supports the Syrian Opposition forces, carried out an air strike against an Iranian proxy group near the base of Al-Tanf (close to the Syrian border with Iraq and Jordon).

Air Force Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Harrigian, defended the strike on Wednesday as necessary to protect US troops and did not apologise for the move.

He said: “First thing I would say is I’m concerned about any threat to our forces on the ground. I’m just going to reiterate the fact that we will protect our forces… we will do what it takes to ensure that our ground forces, if they’re threatened, we’re going to take the necessary action.”

But could this strike lead to escalations? Yes, almost certainly. Experts see this as the trigger for a much larger confrontation.

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More News On The Growing Roll Of Iran In Syria And The Possibility That They May Soon Face U.S. Forces

Are the US, Iran on a collision course in Syria? -- Dan De Luce and Paul McLeary, Chicago Tribune/Foreign Policy
Iran to Defy US, Intensify Involvement in Syrian Conflict -- Al Bawaba
US wrestles Iran for control of Syria-Iraq border -- Gulf News
Major Confrontation Between U.S.-led Coalition And Russian-Iranian Axis Looming In Eastern Syria -- Western Journalism
US and Iran edge closer to confrontation in Syria -- Arab News
In shadow of Mosul fight, Iran establishes Nineveh foothold -- ABC News/AP
Iran-Backed Iraqi Force Says Takes Islamic State Villages Near Syria -- US News and World Report/Reuters
Iraq's Shiite Militias Reach Syrian Border in Anti-Daesh Offensive -- Sputnik
Iran prepared to deploy troops in Syria -- Tehran Times
Iran to Dispatch More Forces to Syria -- Asharq Al-awsa
Sources: Iran to Bankroll Pro-Government Militia Fighters in Syria -- VOA