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IRGC Militias Down U.S. Surveillance Balloon Near Al-Omar Oil Fields in Eastern Syria

Aug 3, 2024, 08:03 PM

Iranian-backed forces, including IRGC militias, have reportedly downed a U.S. military aerostat surveillance balloon near the Al-Omar oil fields in eastern Syria. This incident, which occurred in the eastern countryside of Deir Ezzor, marks a significant escalation in the region. The balloon was gathering intelligence information on armed groups in the area. This is the second such incident, with a similar balloon being downed over eastern Syria in May 2024. The loss of these surveillance platforms limits the U.S. military's ability to identify and respond to threats nearby. Additionally, the U.S. army fired flares over the Deir ez-Zor province in response.