US Jets Abandon New Syrian Army in Battle With Daesh, Dooming Fighters

An armed group of Syrian opposition known as the New Syrian Army failed an operation against the Daesh terrorist group after planes of a US-led coalition had been diverted from the offensive, according to media reports.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The operation started on June 28 with the goal of taking the town of Al Bukamal in Syria's east from extremists. The Washington Post reported, citing US officials familiar with the situation, that in the middle of the operation the US aircraft were instructed to leave for the outskirts of Iraq's Fallujah.

According to US military spokesman Col. Chris Garver, cited by the newspaper, the planes in the Al Bukamal offensive were diverted to tackle a Daesh convoy attempting to escape the Iraqi army that had recaptured Fallujah. The convoy is said to have been destroyed with the help of the US, UK and Iraqi aircraft.

Meanwhile, the New Syrian Army fighters were driven away by the Daesh terrorists, outlawed in many countries including Russia, to the Syrian-Iraqi border.

Speaking of the aircraft redirection, Garver said that, "prioritization was given to one target over another" amid limited resources.

The newspaper also said, citing New Syrian Army fighters participating in the operation, that another reason for the offensive collapse was failed hope Al Bukamal residents would support the army's actions.

In late June, an informed source told Sputnik that the New Syrian Army had taken control of the Hamdan village and airport in eastern Syria near the border with Iraq.