No American casualties reported after blast at US outpost in Syria

No American casualties were reported after a blast at a U.S. outpost in southern Syria, according to Reuters, which cited U.S. officials with knowledge of the situation. 

The U.S. officials spoke with the wire service on the condition of anonymity on Wednesday, stating that they were still unsure who was responsible for the attack and that it was most likely a drone strike.

The post, known as Tanf, was originally set up as part of a U.S. effort to combat ISIS militants when they held significant presence in the country. 

The garrison was used as a place to train Syrian opposition forces to patrol for militants, according to The Associated Press. The base is located in a strategic area near Syria’s Tanf border that crosses with Iraq and Jordan. 

However, since its establishment, ISIS fighters have been driven out of eastern Syria, and the post serves as a place where the United States can keep an eye on Iranian military efforts, according to Reuters. 

Tanf is the only base with a significant U.S. military presence in Syria outside the Kurdish-controlled north, Reuters noted.

The news comes after a little-known group took responsibility for a bus bombing in Damascus on Wednesday, killing more than a dozen people. 

The Syrian government responded, sending shells to a town controlled by rebels.