On February 18, the US-led coalition announced that it had deployed additional M2A3 Bradley infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) in Syria’s northeastern region.

In a statement, the coalition said that the additional IFVs were deployed to support the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). The decision to deploy the vehicles was motivated by the January 20 ISIS attack on al-Hasakah prison.

“The Bradleys quickly proved their worth last month in close support to SDF who quelled Daesh’s attempted breakout of Ghuwayran Prison in Hasakah City,” said Lt. Col. Dan Leard, commander, Task Force Rock. “The unit has since turned south to support the SDF along the Middle Euphrates River Valley. There’s nothing in this theater that could stand against this company of Bradleys. They provide a supreme sense of confidence to our partners as they continue the fight against Daesh.”

The Bradley IFV is armed with a 25 mm M242 chain gun, a 7.62 mm coaxial M240C machine gun and a dual TOW Anti-Tank Guided Missile, ATGM, launcher. The M2A3 version is equipped with additional armors, a better engine and an improved targeting system. This version is also completely digitalized.

The US-led coalition first deployed Bradley IFVs in northeastern Syria in October of 2019 after withdrawing its troops from some parts of the region.

Now, the coalition is apparently using ISIS’s last attack as an excuse to expand its presence in the northeastern region. The exact number of US troops currently deployed in the region remains unknown to the public.

Source: South Front