US forces patrol with Bradley combat vehicles in Rimelan, northeast Syria

RIMELAN, Syria (North Press) – On Monday, American forces conducted a military patrol in the oil-rich Rimelan region in northeastern Syria, in which Bradley combat vehicles participated for the first time.

A local source told North Press that American forces set out from their base and military airport in the Rimelan area, and headed towards Qerechokh Mountain in the southwestern countryside of Derik.

The patrol consisted of three Bradley combat vehicles, which were participating for the first time in patrolling, along with four other American armored vehicles.

In September, the Global Coalition announced the arrival of M2A2 Bradley combat vehicles to northeastern Syria.

Colonel Wayne Marotto, spokesman for Operation Inherent Resolve, said on his Twitter account that the Coalition plans to deploy mechanized infantry assets in Syria, including Bradley combat vehicles, to ensure the protection of Coalition forces and to ensure the continuing defeat of the Islamic State (ISIS).

The deployment of the vehicles comes amid ongoing tensions between the US and Russian forces in the region.

Last week, a Russian Military Police patrol withdrew from the vicinity of the city of Derik after residents objected to their stationing in the area.

Local sources reported to North Press that a Russian patrol consisting of 11 armored vehicles set up a tent near the Burza Dam, east of Derik, in an attempt to establish itself in the area.

However, residents of the area protested their presence, which prompted it to retreat to the west of the city.

In a similar incident in mid-June, a Russian patrol evacuated its position in the village of Qasr Deeb in Derik countryside hours after residents protested against its stationing in the village.