Russia Warns of New US Aggression vs. Syria as Standoff Builds

Russian defense officials are warning about recent moves by the United States in Syria, who have apparently moved multiple rocket launchers from Jordan to the Tanf military base in Syria.

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According to reports, two HIMARS long-range rocket launcher system have deployed allegedly to protect the U.S. forces, who are in the country illegally, from forces aligned with the Syrian government. The truck-mounted system can target enemies up to 70 kilometers away with six M470 rockets, and has been interpreted as a major escalation with the country's lawful authorities.

"The range of the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, HIMARS, is not enough to support the U.S.-backed units of the Syrian Democratic Forces fighting against the Islamic State terror group (outlawed in Russia) in Raqqa," the Russian Defense Ministry statement released Thursday said.

"At the same time, the U.S.-led anti-terrorist coalition has several times attacked the Syrian government forces near the Jordanian border, so it can be assumed that such attacks will continue, but this time involving the High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems," the statement added. "The Russian Defense Ministry has been keeping an eye on the situation along the Syrian-Jordanian border."

U.S. Special Forces have been operating from the Tanf garrison since last year, which is located near the triple border region with Iraq and Jordan. U.S.-led forces operating from the base have conducted three strikes in as many weeks on what the alliance terms “pro-regime.”

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According to U.S.-backed anti-government rebels who spoke to Reuters, U.S. operators have recently expanded their presence in the area and have established a new base at Zakf, which lies about 40 to 50 miles to the northeast of Tanf.

"The (new) base was being studied for months but now it's an official base. It has been built and expanded and God willing will be in the next few days like the Tanf base," he told Reuters.

However, forces working alongside the Syrian government have taken up positions to the north of Tanf, announcing their intention to connect a land supply route to Iraq, win back control of the desert and relieve the besieged Deir al-Zor enclave.

Washington-backed rebels fear the advance of government troops and allied militia, and have sworn to work alongside United States forces to drive the Syrian government from Deir al-Zor.

"The battle is not over and we will not allow the Iranian Shi'ites to occupy our land. Our response to those who stand against us will be cruel," rebel spokesman Abu al-Atheer told Reuters.