US military base in Syria targeted by suspected pro-Iran militia bombing

US military base in Syria targeted by suspected pro-Iran militia bombing
Residents reported seeing a large number of American aircraft in the skies following the bombing, which took place at the Kharab Al-Jir airport.
2 min read
24 November, 2021
The bombing has been reported variously as a shelling and a grenade bombing [Bekir Kasim/Anadolu Agency/Getty-file photo]

A US military base in Syria, close to the Iraqi border, was bombed early on Tuesday, with pro-Iran militias believed to be behind the strike.

The assault was reported as using "rocket shells" by the Syrian regime's official SANA news agency, as well as the regime-aligned Al-Watan newspaper.

Residents living nearby said five rockets were fired at the Kharab Al-Jir airport, according to SANA, which called the Hassakah province location a "US occupation base".

The agency said no details on casualties at the military airport were provided.

Residents also reported seeing a large number of American aircraft in the skies following the bombing.

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The airport is key to cross-border dealings to and from Iraq, according to Athr Press.

The attack occurred at 1:45am, Al-Watan said, according to its informants, who said there were four blasts.

These sources also said the bombing was possibly from what RT's Arabic service called "popular resistance factions".

The whistling noise accompanying the projectiles makes it likely rocket-fired grenades were used, according to RT.

Locals speaking with Athr Press also said there were four projectiles and claimed two had breached the airport, with another hitting a nearby raised bank.

For its part, Washington's regional command, known as CENTCOM acknowledged outposts containing US-led coalition troops were attacked on Tuesday, Al-Arabiya English said.

However, a figure with CENTCOM asserted that no one was wounded, according to the Saudi outlet.

"There were attacks directed at bases that have Coalition Forces; however, these attacks fell short and did not impact near the bases themselves".

While CENTCOM did not mention Kharab Al-Jir by name, the timing of the statement appears to confirm the assault there.