Pro-Iranian Factions Suspected of Targeting International Coalition in Eastern Syria

An American patrol in the countryside of Hasakah, northeastern Syria, on Dec. 15 (AFP)
An American patrol in the countryside of Hasakah, northeastern Syria, on Dec. 15 (AFP)
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Pro-Iranian Factions Suspected of Targeting International Coalition in Eastern Syria

An American patrol in the countryside of Hasakah, northeastern Syria, on Dec. 15 (AFP)
An American patrol in the countryside of Hasakah, northeastern Syria, on Dec. 15 (AFP)

Two missiles targeted on Wednesday morning the international coalition forces in eastern Syria, without causing any losses, according to the Central Command of the US Army (CENTCOM).

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) accused pro-Iranian groups of being behind the attack.

AFP noted that the attack came a day after Iran and its allies commemorated the third anniversary of the assassination of the commander of the IRGC Quds Force, Qassem Soleimani, and the deputy head of the Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces, Abu Mahdi Al-Muhandis, in a US raid near Baghdad Airport.

The US military’s Central Command (CENTCOM), said in a statement that the “two rockets targeted coalition forces at Mission Support Site Conoco” in the eastern Deir Ezzor province.”

“The attack resulted in no injuries or damage to the base or coalition property,” it added.

CENTCOM spokesman Joe Buccino said “attacks of this kind place coalition forces and the civilian population at risk and undermine the hard-earned stability and security of Syria and the region.”

For his part, the director of SOHR, Rami Abdel Rahman, accused “pro-Iranian groups of being behind the missile launches, the day after the commemoration of the third anniversary of Soleimani’s assassination.”

US bases in northern and eastern Syria have been repeatedly targeted during the past few months. On Nov. 26, the Coalition Forces at Al-Shaddadi base, south of Al-Hasakah Governorate (northeastern Syria), were targeted in an attack that SOHR suggested was carried out by members of ISIS.

On Nov. 17, two missiles targeted the Green Village base, one of the most prominent coalition bases in eastern Syria, in an attack that the SOHR attributed to pro-Iranian groups.

Meanwhile, the Syrian Democratic Forces and the security units of the Self-Administration intensified operations to chase ISIS cells in northeastern Syria, with the support of the International Coalition.

SOHR said that the intensification of campaign came in response to “the most violent and bloody attack carried out by ISIS cells on Dec. 26, targeting the intelligence prison and security centers in the city of Al-Raqqah.



Greece Says 8 Dead, 18 Rescued as Speedboat with Migrants Capsizes near Island

Migrant route from Türkiye to Greece has seen increased usage this year (AFP/file photo)
Migrant route from Türkiye to Greece has seen increased usage this year (AFP/file photo)
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Greece Says 8 Dead, 18 Rescued as Speedboat with Migrants Capsizes near Island

Migrant route from Türkiye to Greece has seen increased usage this year (AFP/file photo)
Migrant route from Türkiye to Greece has seen increased usage this year (AFP/file photo)

A speedboat carrying migrants capsized Friday morning off the eastern Greek island of Rhodes, leaving eight dead and 18 rescued, Greek authorities said.
The coast guard said the incident occurred while the speedboat was carrying out “dangerous maneuvers” to try and evade a patrol vessel, causing migrants to fall into the sea.
A rescue effort is underway involving coast guard vessels and a helicopter as it was unclear whether other passengers were missing, authorities said.
Rhodes, one of several large Greek islands located near the coast of Türkiye, is on a busy illegal smuggling route in the eastern Mediterranean. It was the second deadly incident involving migrants in the past week, as authorities in Athens brace for a spike in arrivals as a result of wars in the Middle East.
Seven migrants were killed and dozens are believed to be missing after a boat partially sank south of the island of Crete over the weekend – one of four rescue operations during which more than 200 migrants were rescued.
The search south of Crete around the tiny island of Gavdos was called off Wednesday.
The number of migrants traveling illegally to Greece is expected to top 60,000 this year, with Syrians making up the largest number, followed by Afghans, Egyptians, Eritreans and Palestinians, according to government data.