US Military Says Rocket Attacks On Its Patrol Base In Syria

The US military has said that two rockets attacked its patrol base in northeastern Syria, but no injuries have been reported.

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a statement late Friday that the attacks “targeted coalition forces” at its base in al-Shaddadi, Syria.

CENTCOM said that there were no injuries or damage to coalition property due to the attack. However, it did not specify who was responsible for the rocket launch.

The attacks come as tensions on the Syria-Turkey border rise, with the Turkish military launching a wave of lethal air raids on Kurdish forces in Syria and Iraq in retaliation for the bombing in Istanbul on 13 November. Ankara blames the attack on the banned Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) and the YPG Kurdish forces, but they deny any involvement.

In addition, rocket attacks from Syria have killed civilians in Turkey. 

The US has urged de-escalation, citing the YPG-dominated Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) as a critical ally in the fight against the ISIL (ISIS) group.

According to CENTCOM, the SDF visited the site of the attacks and discovered a third unfired rocket.

“Attacks of this type endanger coalition forces and civilians while undermining Syria's and the region's hard-won stability and security,” said Colonel Joe Buccino, a CENTCOM spokesman.