Iran-backed Fighters Attack US Allies in Syria, 2 Dead

QAMISHLI, Syria – Violence intensified in opposition-controlled regions of Syria on Wednesday, with government-backed fighters reportedly killing at least two individuals in the eastern part of the country. This surge in violence coincided with a truck bomb explosion in the northern city of Azaz, which resulted in nine fatalities, according to the main U.S.-backed force and an opposition war monitor. The attack in Azaz, a city that has experienced similar bombings previously, remains unclaimed. The clashes in Deir el-Zour province, which borders Iraq, have heightened tensions following the recent assassinations of key military figures from Hezbollah and Hamas, attributed to Israeli actions. In response, Iran and Hezbollah have vowed retaliation. Syrian government forces, along with Iran-backed fighters, are positioned on the west bank of the Euphrates River, while the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) control the eastern banks. The SDF reported that “Syrian regime-backed mercenaries” launched attacks on several villages, including Dhiban, Latwa, and Abu Hamam, starting late Tuesday. Dhiban is located near the al-Omar oil field, which hosts both SDF fighters and U.S. troops. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights confirmed that the ongoing clashes resulted in two deaths and five injuries, prompting the SDF to send reinforcements to the area. This escalation follows a recent rocket attack on a U.S. military base in western Iraq, which left several American personnel wounded. The attack is part of a broader pattern of increased hostilities from Iran-backed militias targeting U.S. forces in the region.