US troops injured in altercation with Russian soldiers in Syria

Several American troops have been reported injured after their vehicle was rammed by a Russian military patrol in northern Syria, according to US officials.

An unknown number of soldiers were injured in the incident which took place near Dayrick, northeast Syria, on Tuesday, Reuters reported.

They are being treated for concussive symptoms after the latest in a series of confrontations between US and Russian troops in Syria.

"To de-escalate the situation, the coalition patrol departed the area," said White House National Security Council spokesman John Ullyot.

"The coalition and the United States do not seek escalation with any national military forces, but US forces always retain the inherent right and obligation to defend themselves from hostile acts."

The US has around 500 troops operating in northern Syria, who were initially deployed to support Kurdish-led forces battling the Islamic State group but later used as security for several important sites, including oil installations.

Russia, which has backed Bashar Al-Assad during the war, also has a military presence in the area leading to a series of near clashes with American troops.

A video shared on social media earlier this week showed a Russian helicopter flying low over an American armoured vehicle with Russian APVs in pursuit.

Russian mercenaries were believed to be among scores killed in US strikes in oil-rich eastern Syria in 2018 when the Syrian regime launched an attack on positions hosting American soldiers.

Russia intervened in Syria's war in September 2015, helping the regime push back against rebels.

Thousands of civilians have been killed in Russian strikes in Syria, with schools and hospitals also destroyed.

— Harun Alaswad (@harun_alaswad) August 26, 2020" style="color:#fff;" class="twitter-post-link" target="_blank">Twitter Post Footage from eastern Syria, #Russia's patrol vs #America's patrol. pic.twitter.com/QKDCZEi3tO — Harun Alaswad (@harun_alaswad) August 26, 2020