Thanks for the link Krosan.
We were attacked by Syrian forces that Mattis estimates to be about 300 fighters, including Russian built tanks. Both sides, us with the SDF fighters lined up against Syria with their fighters, Russian fighters, Russian mercenaries, and Iranian fighters, knew where each other were. They could see each other and monitor each other’s movements.
Mattis said he doesn’t know what provoked them to attack us and he doesn’t know who attacked us other than they were pro-Assad. He doesn’t know if any Russians were in the attack.
We attacked back and they retreated.
Mattis: “It was self-defense, we are not getting engaged in the Syrian civil war. We are there to fight Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, that’s what those troops were doing in that position:.
Coordinating strikes against ISIS.”
That last statement is reassuring that we are not fighting the Syrian regime, we are fighting ISIS.
Concurring bump...worth bookmarking.
The Defense Dept. press briefing had a very collegial vibe to it also, with Sec. Mattis joking back and forth with reporters in between questions.