Syria confirms rare US strike on pro-government forces

BEIRUT — Syrian state-run media on Thursday confirms a rare US strike on government-backed troops in eastern Syria, citing reports of dozens killed and wounded from the attack.

Syria’s state media says the US-led coalition bombed government-backed troops in Khusham, a town in the oil-rich Deir el-Zour province, describing them as tribal fighters. The media cites reports of dozens killed and wounded.

The official state news agency SANA says the local fighters were battling Islamic State militants and the US-backed SDF in the area.

SANA labels it an “aggression” and a “new massacre.”

A US official says the US launched the airstrikes after as many as 500 attackers began what appeared to be a coordinated assault on US-backed forces known as the Syrian Democratic Forces who were accompanied by US advisers in Deir el-Zour province.

The official says the strikes were in self-defense after the pro-government forces began firing artillery and tank rounds at the SDF. About 100 of the attackers were killed, the official says.

— AP