2 Syrian Soldiers Killed in Coalition Raid in Qamishli

Two Syrian soldiers were killed Monday in a coalition airstrike in Qamishli after regime forces at a checkpoint turned back a coalition patrol, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

The strike, confirmed by regime media, was carried out after the regime checkpoint refused passage to the patrol in the northeastern city, the Observatory said.

According to regime media, two US helicopters attacked the Syrian army checkpoint near Qamishli, killing one soldier and injuring two others.

The incident happened shortly after a US patrol was prevented from passing by an army checkpoint in the area, state media said.

Monday’s strike was the first deadly incident of its kind in six months, the Observatory said, although tensions are not unusual in the area, where the web of security responsibilities is complex.

Northeastern Syria is mainly under the control of US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces who are spearheaded by Kurdish fighters, but Syrian army forces are deployed in certain locations under agreements with the Kurds.