A deadly clash that many called the first major US-Russia fight since the Cold War

Countries & Cities · Published 12 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: In February 2018, a sudden military engagement near Syria's Khasham sparked international tension. As pro-government forces attacked a U.S.-backed position, coalition airpower and artillery responded, resulting in significant casualties and a complex debate over the presence of Russian mercenaries on the battlefield.

Fought within Syria's Deir ez-Zor Governorate, the Battle of Khasham (or the Battle of Conoco Fields) took place on 7 February 2018. The engagement began when a force of approximately 500 pro-government fighters—including Syrian Army regulars, local militias, and Iranian-backed brigades like the Fatemiyoun and Zainebiyoun—launched a coordinated assault on a Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) headquarters. The attack involved T-72 and T-55 tanks and included artillery shelling that landed within 500 meters of the SDF base.

The U.S. military responded with significant force, deploying AC-130 gunships, F-22 Raptors, F-15E Strike Eagles, and AH-64 Apache helicopters, alongside M142 HIMARS artillery. While the U.S. maintained contact with a Russian liaison officer and stated they only struck after receiving assurances that no regular Russian troops were at risk, the battle resulted in heavy casualties. The exact number of Russian casualties remains a point of intense contention. While some reports suggested as few as 10 to 30 Russians were killed, other estimates, including a 2019 University of Southern Denmark study, suggested between 65 and 200 Russians died, some even in hospitals.

The incident highlighted the fragile de-confliction lines established between the U.S. and Russia to prevent direct confrontation. While the U.S. and Russia had agreements regarding troop presence near the Euphrates River, the Iranian-backed forces involved in the attack were not party to these bilateral deals. This underscored the complex power dynamics in Syria, where Russia and Iran often competed for influence over the Syrian government and its various military proxies.

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