Mar 7, 2018 - World

Pro-Assad forces again gathering near Syrian deconfliction line

A US military convoy drives on a highway in Syria.

A US military convoy drives on a highway in Syria. Photo: Bulent Kilic / AFP / Getty Images

Pro-Assad forces are "massing east of the Euphrates River" in Syria, which was established as a deconfliction line by the U.S. and Russia, CNN reports.

The big picture: Similar movements were seen in early February, before pro-regime forces crossed the river and began attacking Syrian Democratic Forces, resulting in rare U.S. strikes on pro-regime forces. The U.S. strikes resulted in the deaths of scores of Russian mercenaries.

  • Per CNN: "The U.S. military is monitoring the situation...to see if the pro-regime troops attempt to once again attack areas controlled by the [Syrian Democratic Forces]."
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