Russian Forces Increase Pressure on U.S. Troops in Syria as Local Civilians Turn on the U.S. Military

Russia has reportedly increased pressure against U.S. forces in northeastern Syria, the final theatre of the conflict which has seen American and Turkish forces and a number of Turkish backed Islamist militias clash with the Syrian Arab Army over control of the territory. The U.S. maintains an illegal military presence - without the authorisation of either Damascus or the United Nations - which is intended to maintain control over the country’s oil fields. It has deployed armoured units and constructed military bases on Syrian territory for this purpose. Revenues from these oil fields have been denied to the Syrian government - which Washington and its Western allies have stated their intention to remove from power for almost a decade. American moves to commandeer these oil fields and appropriate their revenues have been criticised by Russia’s Foreign Ministry among others as a serious violation of international law.

Pressure against U.S. forces comes as the Syrian Arab Army continues to take considerable ground from Turkish backed militants - following a counteroffensive which began in late January. Russian helicopters have reportedly flown closer to U.S. troops, placing them on high alert, while jamming by Russian electronic warfare aircraft has undermined American operations in the country. Unknown Syrian parties have meanwhile exchanged fire with U.S. forces on February 12th, which were thought to be armed locals displeased with the American military presence although some sources have speculated that these could have been Syrian government forces. The presence of Syrian troops has meanwhile continued to grow in the area, increasing pressure on American positions. James F Jeffrey, a leading American diplomat overseeing Syrian issues, stated that such occurrences “have been increasing in number, and thus is troubling.” The U.S. Defence Department has meanwhile reported that its forces have been attacked by locals with stones and dirt, with some civilians attempting to light American military vehicles on fire. Multiple protests against the American military presence have been staged by locals, some peaceful and others forceful. Pressure on American forces to leave Syria comes in parallel to growing unrest and protests against the U.S. Military presence in Iraq - resulting in the Iraqi parliament voting to expel U.S. forces in January and in multiple rocket attacks on American positions.