DAMASCUS, Aug. 21 (Xinhua) -- The U.S.-led coalition forces, in coordination with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), conducted joint live-fire military exercises in Syria's eastern province of Deir al-Zour late Tuesday night, according to a war monitor.
The drills, which took place at the al-Omar oil field and Conoco gas field bases, resulted in loud explosions that reverberated across the region for several hours, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
The exercises were reportedly part of the ongoing efforts to bolster defense against the anticipated Iranian-backed attacks in the region, the observatory pointed out.
On Tuesday, additional military reinforcements, comprising approximately 13 vehicles loaded with military supplies and several armored vehicles, were deployed to the coalition's base at the al-Omar oil field in Deir al-Zour.
The arrival of the forces was accompanied by an increased presence of coalition helicopters patrolling the skies above the area, according to the observatory. ■
