US forces down two drones in southern Syria

Shafaq News / US forces shot down two drones that were attempting to attack a Central Command base in southern Syria on Monday, the Pentagon said.

The attempted attack is the latest in a series of recent strikes on US forces in the Middle East believed to have been carried out by groups backed by Iran.

The drones were headed towards Al Tanf, located in a strategic area near the Syrian border crossing with Iraq and Jordan.

“I can confirm that there was an attempted drone attack at Al Tanf in Syria. Two, one-way attack drones, taken down,” Pentagon Press Secretary Brig Gen Pat Ryder told reporters, noting there were no injuries to US forces.

He said the drones were destroyed with “defensive systems”.

Brig Gen Ryder said the Pentagon does not have concrete evidence that Tehran has explicitly ordered militias under their influence to carry out these kinds of attacks.

“That said, by virtue of the fact that they are supported by Iran, we will ultimately hold Iran responsible,” he said.

When pressed on the issue, Brig Gen Ryder added: “We haven't seen a direct order, for example, from the Supreme Leader [Ayatollah Ali Khamenei] saying: 'Go out and do this.'”

(The National News)