US vows probe into Syria attack involving Russians

WASHINGTON, Feb 18 (AFP): US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis on Saturday vowed to investigate an attack involving Russian citizens on American-allied forces in Syria but stopped short of accusing Moscow of orchestrating the assault.

Russia has acknowledged that five of its citizens were killed in a US-led coalition bombing in the eastern Deir Ezzor province after they were part of a group pro-regime combatants which led an attack on positions held by the Syrian Democratic Forces.

"I understand that the Russian government now is saying that some of their not-military forces, contractors, were involved in that still unexplained attack," Mattis said while flying back to Washington after a weeklong tour of Europe.

"But they took directions from someone. Was it local directions? Was is from external sources? Don't ask me, I don't know. But I doubt that 250 to 300 people, all just excited on their individual self, suddenly crossed the river in enemy territory, started shelling a location and maneuvering tanks against it.