Iran to escalate against US in Syria – Washington Post

QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – Iran is planning to launch a new set of attacks against US troops in Syria, while also coordinating with Russia to oust the US from the region, said the Washington Post in a report on Thursday.

“Iran and its allies are building and training forces to use more powerful armor-piercing roadside bombs intended specifically to target U.S. military vehicles and kill U.S. personnel,” said the newspaper, citing classified intelligence reports. “Such attacks would constitute an escalation of Iran’s long-running campaign of using proxy militias to launch rocket and drone strikes on U.S. forces in Syria.”

Iranian drones wounded six US troops and killed a Defense Department contractor while ago. The new explosive devices could increase US casualties,” risking a wider military confrontation with Iran,” said the Washington Post, citing intelligence analysts and weapons experts as saying.

In late February, the US-backed Kurdish fighters thwarted an apparent attempt to use such weapon against US forces by seizing three bombs, a second document states.

Iran hid weapons among earthquake aid provided to Syria to strike US forces, leak says.

Another leaked document showcases focused efforts by Moscow, Damascus and Tehran to drive out the US from Syria, “a long-sought goal that could allow Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to reclaim eastern provinces now controlled by U.S.-backed Kurdish forces.”

The past three US administrations have maintained a small contingent of U.S. troops in Syria — about 900 at any given time, augmented by hundreds more contractors — to prevent a resurgence by Islamic State militants in the country, thwart Iranian and Russian ambitions, and provide leverage for other strategic objectives.

The Pentagon has declined the newspaper’s requests to comment on the leaked documents and the Iranian plans against the US in Syria.