US bombs own anti-IS HQ in Syria after hasty withdrawal

US officials claim that the airstrike was carried out to prevent the base from falling into the ‘wrong hands’

The US military destroyed its own anti-IS headquarters in Syria on Wednesday after US forces in the region withdrew hastily, Business Insider reported.

US defence official claim that the airstrike was carried out to prevent the arms and ammunition and other material of sensitive nature falling into the ‘wrong hands’.

On October 10, Turkey launched a broad assault on Kurdish-controlled areas in northeastern Syria, with intensive bombardment followed by a ground offensive made possible by the withdrawal of US troops.

However, the US denies that the withdrawal of troops was a ‘green light’ for the Turkish offensive.

According to Operation Inherent Resolve’s Spokesperson Colonel Myles B. Caggins, two United States Air Force (USAF) F-15 Eagles carried out the pre-planned airstrike at the Lafarge Cement Factory located between Kobanî and Ain Issa to reduce the facility’s "military usefulness".

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On Oct. 16, after all #Coalition personnel and essential tactical equipment departed, two Coalition F-15Es successfully conducted a pre-planned precision airstrike at the Lafarge Cement Factory to destroy an ammunition cache and reduce the facility’s military usefulness.

— OIR Spokesperson (@OIRSpox) October 16, 2019

Following the withdrawal, the Turkish-backed fighters advanced on the facility which was used to train and equip Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to fight against the militant IS group.

Some of the remaining US troops repelled the advance using Apache helicopters before leaving the facility and USAF destroying the base. The SDF also left and destroyed their part of the base.

"#Coalition forces continue a deliberate withdrawal from northeast #Syria. On Oct. 16, we vacated the Lafarge Cement Factory, Raqqa, and Tabqah," OIR Spokesperson tweeted.

#Coalition forces continue a deliberate withdrawal from northeast #Syria. On Oct. 16, we vacated the Lafarge Cement Factory, Raqqa, and Tabqah. //
تواصل قوات التحالف الإنسحاب المُخطّط له من شمال شرق سوريا. في 16 تشرين الأول ، قُمنا بإخلاء مصنع لافارج للأسمنت والرقة والطبقة

— OIR Spokesperson (@OIRSpox) October 16, 2019