CNBC: Pentagon defends airstrike that reportedly killed 'dozens' of Russian mercenaries in Syria
* A senior U.S. military official Tuesday defended an airstrike on pro-Syrian government forces last week that reportedly killed "dozens" of Russians.
* "This was self defense," Air Force Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Harrigian, commander of U.S. Air Forces Central Command told reporters at a briefing.
* The airstrike followed an attack by pro-Syrian government forces on U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces, who are fighting ISIS.
* An undisclosed number of U.S. coalition advisors were on the ground with SDF fighters during the clash but they apparently didn't suffer casualties.
The Pentagon on Tuesday defended an airstrike on pro-Syrian government forces last week that reportedly killed "dozens" of Russian mercenaries.
Reports have suggested more than 100 fighters supporting the regime led by Syrian President Bashar Assad were killed Feb. 7 in Syria's Deir al-Zor province when they attacked U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces, who are fighting ISIS.
"This was self defense," Air Force Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Harrigian, commander of U.S. Air Forces Central Command, said at a news briefing Tuesday. "This is a hostile force launching an unprovoked, coordinated attack ... against an established SDF position."
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WNU Editor: Here is a good summary one what is known .... Here's What We Know About The US Airstrikes That Killed Russian Fighters In Syria (Buzzfeed).
More News On Reports That Dozens Of Russian Mercenaries Were Killed By U.S. Military Strikes In Syria
Syria conflict: 'Russians killed' in US air strikes -- BBC News
Dozens of Russians Are Believed Killed in US-Backed Syria Attack -- New York Times
Scores of Russian mercenaries reportedly killed by US airstrikes in Syria -- The Guardian
US forces reportedly killed more than 100 Russian mercenaries inside Syria -- Vox
US strike in Syria kills Russian fighters in first such clash -- The Telegraph
US Strikes Killed Scores of Russia Fighters in Syria, Sources Say -- Bloomberg
A massive battle between US and Syrian pro-regime forces reportedly killed more than 200 Russians -- Business Insider
Russians Among Those Killed in US Airstrike in Eastern Syria -- Wall Street Journal
That Massive Firefight Between US And Pro-Regime Forces In Syria Reportedly Killed Hundreds Of Russian Mercenaries -- Task & Purpose
The moment a US fighter jet destroys a Russian tank in massive raid that 'killed hundreds of fighters and DOZENS of Putin's mercenaries who are secretly fighting in Syria' -- Daily Mail
