The US-backed rebels bombed by Russian jets on June 16 reported the aircraft used cluster bombs on their position, which was far from any location Russia had previously targeted. The US-led Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve is still reviewing the reports of the strike near al-Tanf, where rebels fighting ISIS were struck, resulting in “a number” killed and wounded. British Army Maj. Gen. Doug Chalmers, the deputy commander of strategy and sustainment for the coalition, said he and other leaders in the group were “very surprised” by the attack. “It wasn’t close to any of the regime forces,” he said during a Thursday briefing. “It was way outside of the normal pattern of Russian activity that we’ve seen.” There are ongoing “high-level” discussions between the US and Russians to determine what happened so future incidents can be avoided, he said.
Seven F-22 Raptor pilots have recently been awarded one of the military’s highest decorations for their actions during operations in the Middle East. Six of the pilots were decorated with the Distinguished Flying Cross for their role in Operation Midnight Hammer, the June 2025 strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities.