This is a developing story. Return to this post for updates.
UPDATE 1
A suicide bomber targeted a US patrol in Manbij. At least 4 US military dead according to multiple media reports..
UPDATE 2
From the New York Times:
A suicide bombing in northern Syria claimed by the Islamic State killed 15 people on Wednesday, according to a group that monitors the conflict. In Washington, a Defense Department official said American troops were among the dead and wounded.
UPDATE 3
More from the NYT:
The attack targeted a restaurant in the town of Manbij where American soldiers would sometimes stop to eat during their patrols of the area, residents said. After the blast, a number of Americans were evacuated by helicopter, they said. But it was not immediately clear how many had been in the area at the time of the blast.
UPDATE 4
From Reuters:
A U.S. official who declined to be named said four U.S. troops had been killed and three wounded in the blast, which an Islamic State-affiliated site said was the work of a suicide bomber. Others said only two had been killed.
UPDATE 5
Wenzel first take:
Is this some kind of false flag? Why would the Islamic State attack US troops when President Trump is desirous of pulling troops out of Syria?
The smart thing to do would be to lay low with little to no combat activity, making it easier for the president to pull troops out.
UPDATE 6:
An unspecified number of US service members were killed in today's explosion in Manbij, Syria. ISIS has claimed responsibility for the attack. https://t.co/W3pozkPLSe pic.twitter.com/1yuupOeuki— CNN Breaking News (@cnnbrk) January 16, 2019
UPDATE 7:
Alleged video of the bombing:
Warning! Graphic Video! Alleged video of the suicide attack in #Manbij pic.twitter.com/85MkFOTOpn— Mutlu Civiroglu (@mutludc) January 16, 2019
-RW
On one hand, I'd think it was a false flag; the timing really does seem on the nose vis a vis Trump's desire to leave Syria.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, I'd imagine a lack of understanding of human nature could pervade both sides of the equation. Stated differently, ISIS could be thinking that a suicide bombing would hasten a US withdrawal. Maybe they were frustrated by John Bolton thwarting Trump's attempt to leave immediately.
The timing is very convenient. Any truth to the rumor that upon hearing the news, Bolton giggled like a 10-yr old girl and danced an Irish jig?
ReplyDeleteOf course this is a false flag. There are only two groups that want the US in Syria: the Israelis, and the Israel First Party in the United States, otherwise known as the Neocons.
ReplyDeleteProbably just trying to prove they are still relevant. Trump has called them very weak repeatedly, and said they are basically defeated. In their minds, infidels are calling them weak, and they must prove otherwise. Their strategy is to rule these areas by fear. Many people dont want them around, so they are trying to posture.
ReplyDelete