Key Facts
- Date
- 7 February 2018
- Estimated Russian casualties
- 65–200 Wagner Group mercenaries
- Estimated Syrian govt. casualties
- ~100 pro-government troops killed
- Distance from de-confliction line
- 8 km east of agreed Euphrates River line
- Location
- Deir ez-Zor Governorate, near Khasham and Al Tabiyeh
Strategic Narrative Overview
On 7 February 2018, pro-Syrian government forces initiated an advance toward an SDF headquarters where U.S. personnel were co-located, crossing the established de-confliction line. The Operation Inherent Resolve coalition responded with air and artillery strikes against the attacking force. The assault was repelled, and significant casualties were inflicted on the attacking side. Russia's Ministry of Defence distanced itself from the incident, stating no Russian service members were present in the area.
01 / The Origins
The battle occurred within the broader Syrian civil war, in a contested energy-rich area near the Conoco gas fields in Deir ez-Zor Governorate. U.S. forces and Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) partners held positions east of the Euphrates River de-confliction line agreed upon with Russia, while pro-Syrian government militias, reportedly including Russian Wagner Group mercenaries, operated in the same region amid competing interests over territory and resources.
03 / The Outcome
The engagement ended with the attacking force driven back and suffering substantial losses. American officials estimated around 100 Syrian troops killed; Ukrainian intelligence identified 65 Russians dead, while other estimates ranged up to several hundred Russian Wagner Group casualties. Russia officially denied significant losses. No U.S. or SDF fatalities were reported. The incident drew international attention to the presence of Russian private military contractors in Syria.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Side B
2 belligerents
Kinetic Engagement Axis
Scroll horizontally to view full axis. Events plotted relatively.