At Least 16 Civilians Dead as US Coalition Pounds Village in Southeastern Syria

According to the Syrian state broadcaster Ikhbariya, citing local sources, the US-led coalition struck the town of Baghuz in Deir ez-Zor province on Monday. The airstrike claimed the lives of 16 civilians, including seven children, Ikhbariya reported.

“Aviation of the international coalition has committed a new crime: 16 civilians, including seven children, were killed as a result of massive airstrikes on the village of Baghuz in the southeastern province of Deir ez-Zor”, Ikhbariya television said.

 The coalition regularly carries out airstrikes in Deir ez-Zor. In January, Ikhbariya reported that at least 20 civilians were killed and several more wounded in a US-led coalition airstrike on a village in the province.  
In December, US President Donald Trump announced the pullout of US troops from Syria, but gave no timeline for their withdrawal.