Kurdish forces in Syria mistakenly shoot down US Air Force MQ-9 Reaper drone
Middle East, News, US December 15, 2024 No Comments on Kurdish forces in Syria mistakenly shoot down US Air Force MQ-9 Reaper drone3 minute read
U.S.-backed Kurdish forces in Syria downed a U.S. Air Force MQ-9 Reaper drone, misidentifying it as a potential threat. This incident occurred during an active operation by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a U.S. ally in the ongoing Syrian fight.
The MQ-9 Reaper drone was conducting surveillance and operational support for Operation Inherent Resolve, the U.S.-led campaign to eliminate ISIS in the region. According to a U.S. official familiar with the incident, the SDF mistakenly targeted the drone.
The SDF has been a vital partner for the U.S., particularly in Syria’s complex geopolitical landscape. However, its position has become increasingly tenuous since the ousting of Syrian President Bashar Al Assad.
The U.S. Air Force official confirmed to the media that U.S. ground forces promptly salvaged critical parts of the downed drone and destroyed the remainder to prevent any misuse or intelligence compromise.
Addressing the situation, the official stated, “U.S. Air Forces Central Command is actively assessing the actions that led to the incident and will adjust tactics, techniques, and procedures to safeguard U.S., coalition, and partner forces and their associated assets.”
The U.S. Air Forces Central Command is investigating to determine what led to the downing of the MQ-9 drone. The findings will likely influence future operational protocols, particularly in terms of identifying and mitigating risks posed by allied forces in active conflict zones.
The mistaken shootdown highlights potential communication gaps and operational risks between U.S. forces and their local allies. While the SDF has played a crucial role in combating ISIS, incidents like this threaten to strain relations. Analysts have noted that this incident could prompt a review of how U.S. forces and allied groups coordinate their operations in contested airspace.
Threats and regional instability
The SDF has faced mounting challenges in the region, particularly due to escalating tensions with Turkey and other regional forces amid the ongoing political and security situation in Syria. Turkey has long accused the SDF of ties to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), a group that Ankara designates as a terrorist organization. This has often led to Turkish-backed forces targeting Kurdish forces in Syria with drone strikes and ground operations.
Earlier this week, the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA) launched an advance toward Manbij, a strategically important city controlled by the SDF. To avert further escalation, the U.S. successfully mediated a ceasefire between the SNA and the SDF.
The incident with the MQ-9 drone comes amid broader U.S. military efforts in Syria. Following the rapid fall of Assad’s regime, U.S. forces carried out a series of aggressive airstrikes targeting ISIS strongholds. These strikes involved a range of aircraft, including B-52 Stratofortress bombers, A-10 Warthog attack planes, and F-15 fighters. A total of 75 ISIS targets were struck in dozens of operations designed to disrupt the group’s ability to regroup and pose a continued threat.
For the SDF, this mishap could compound their already precarious standing, particularly with Turkish forces pressing on their northern borders. The U.S. will need to navigate this relationship carefully to maintain the SDF’s effectiveness against ISIS while mitigating the risk of further incidents.
As the situation unfolds, the U.S. military will continue to prioritize its dual objectives in the region: supporting local allies like the SDF against ISIS and managing the broader geopolitical tensions that could destabilize ongoing operations.
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