Russia knew US-backed Syrian forces were in area it bombed: Pentagon

According to Pentagon, Russian jets bombed a target east of the Euphrates River near Dayr Az Zawr in Syria where it knew US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces and coalition advisers were located

Russian jets bombed a target east of the Euphrates River near Dayr Az Zawr in Syria where it knew US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces and coalition advisers were located, the Pentagon said on Saturday.

In this Friday, Sept. 15, 2017 photo Russian military helicopter flies over a desert in Deir es-Zor province, Syria. A U.S.-backed force in Syria said a Russian airstrike wounded six of its fighters Saturday near the eastern city of Deir el-Zour while in southeast Syria, (AP)

“Russian munitions impacted a location known to the Russians to contain Syrian Democratic Forces and coalition advisers,” the Pentagon said in a statement. “Several SDF fighters were wounded,” it added.

The jets came from government territory and hit positions on the eastern bank of the Euphrates river, said Khawla, who heads the Deir al-Zor military council fighting under the SDF.

Coalition troops advising and assisting the SDF were not wounded, the Pentagon added. The SDF is an alliance of Kurdish and Arab militias fighting with the U.S.-led coalition.