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As IS shrinks, end game for US in Syria gets murky

By Robert Burns | iNFOTEL
February 08 2018 10:48 PM

CP1750170077 — This photo provided by the Syrian Civil Defense White Helmets, which has been authenticated based on its contents and other AP reporting, shows civil defense workers and civilians inspecting a damaged building after airstrikes hit a rebel-held suburb near Damascus, Syria, Thursday, Feb. 8, 2018. Syrian rescue workers and activists say the death toll from ongoing government strikes on the opposition-held region near the capital Damascus has risen to at least 35. (Syrian Civil Defense White Helmets via AP)

WASHINGTON – The closer the U.S. gets to its original goal in Syria of defeating the Islamic State group, the murkier its end game. The battlefield is shifting as demonstrated by a deadly barrage of American air and artillery strikes on a shadowy attacker.

The Pentagon insists it is keeping its focus on defeating IS, but Defence Secretary Jim Mattis said Thursday U.S.-backed fighters in eastern Syria faced a “perplexing” overnight assault by about 300 pro-Syrian government fighters whose nationalities, motives and makeup he could not identify.

A number of U.S. military advisers were present alongside local allied forces, and the Americans led a punishing response that other officials said killed about 100 of the assailants.

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