U.S. special operations forces, whose role is to advise and assist partner forces in Syria, were in the thick of combat Saturday when Islamic State launched a coordinated attack on a military base where they were located, Pentagon officials said Monday.
The attack on the An Tank Garrison in Southern Syria included an explosives-laden truck, and 20 to 30 ISIS fighters, some armed with suicide vests.
The U.S. troops fought alongside members of the “Vetted Syrian Opposition” forces the U.S. has been helping clear ISIS from the Hamad desert in southern Syria.
“U.S. and coalition forces were in the area as they normally are,” said Col. John Thomas, a spokesman for the U.S. Central Command. “There was close-air support that was provided, there was ground support that was provided, and there was med-evac that was supported by the coalition.”
The U.S. troops called in airstrikes to destroy the truck bomb, and engaged in direct fire to help repel the attacks, Thomas said.
“Ultimately the attackers were either killed, defeated or chased off,” he said.
There were no U.S. casualties, but three members of the Syrian partner forces were killed during the assault.
