US forces and Iran-backed militants exchange fire in eastern Syria.

RAQQA CITY, Syria

On Tuesday evening, Iranian-backed militias clashed with US forces stationed on the west bank of the Euphrates River in Syria’s Deir ez-Zor province.

Local sources told Anadolu that Iranian-backed groups launched rockets targeting the Conoco gas field, where US troops are based. Loud explosions were reported, but no details on casualties or damage have emerged.

In retaliation, US forces shelled the villages of Hawija Saker, Al-Jafra, and Murad, believed to be strongholds of the Iranian-backed groups. Fighter jets also later bombed these areas, though their affiliation remains unclear.

The US military has yet to comment on the incident.

Recently, US bases in Syria have been targeted by drone and missile attacks, likely from Iranian-backed groups. Deir ez-Zor is split between US-backed PKK/YPG forces, the Assad regime, and Iranian-aligned militias.