Middle East News

US shoots down a pro-regime drone near At Tanf in southern Syria

A US F-15 shot down an armed drone near At Tanf on Tuesday, June 20, after it was assessed to pose a threat to US forces

In a June 20 statement, the Coalition confirmed that a US F-15 shot down an armed drone near At Tanf in southern Syria on Monday, June 20, after it was assessed to pose a threat to US forces.

“The armed pro-regime Shaheed-129 UAV was shot down by a U.S. F-15E Strike Eagle at approximately 12:30 a.m. after it displayed hostile intent and advanced on Coalition forces.”

CJTF-OIR statement

The statement said Coalition forces were manning an established combat outpost to the northeast of At Tanf – the same location where another pro-regime drone dropped munitions near Coalition forces before it was shot down, June 8.

After being intercepted by the F-15E, the drone “continued to advance on the Coalition position without diverting its course” and was shot down,” the statement said.

“Given recent events, the Coalition will not allow pro-regime aircraft to threaten or approach in close proximity to Coalition and partnered forces,” the statement continued.

This is the first time the Coalition have confirmed the use of the Iran-made Shaheed-129 drone in Syria. Other outlets have previously reported that the drone shot down on June 8 was also a Shaheed-129.

The downing of the drone is the latest in a series of incidents that have complicated the Coalition air war in Syria. On June 8, a manned US aircraft shot down another pro-regime drone near At Tanf. On June 17, a US F/A-18E shot down a Syrian military jet near Raqqa, which led to Russia saying that it will track, target and intercept Coalition aircraft in Syria and suspending the de-confliction line.

[Story developing]

Syria: US shoots down pro-regime drone that attacked Coalition forces near At Tanf

US shoots down a Syrian military jet near Raqqa

Russia will track, target and intercept Coalition aircraft in Syria, de-confliction line suspended

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