US Army deploys its HIMARS rocket system in Syria 81506171

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Defense & Security News - Syria
 
US Army deploys its High Mobility Artillery Rocket System in Syria
The U.S. military has moved its High Mobility Artillery Rocket System from Jordan into southern Syria. This would mark the first time the weapon system has been deployed to the country.
     
The U.S. military has moved its High Mobility Artillery Rocket System from Jordan into southern Syria. This would mark the first time the weapon system has been deployed to the country.
     
The HIMARS will be stationed in the vicinity of the U.S.-Coalition training base at At Tarif to support operations there. The long-range battlefield missile represents a large boost in long-range firepower in the 55 km deconfliction zone around the base.

The HIMARS has been used to support Syrian Democratic Forces in its offensives against ISIS along with conventional artillery before, but from positions in northern Iraq. This move directly into Syria is a response and deterrent to pro-regime forces in and near the zone, who have been moving their own artillery into the area.

HIMARS is a wheeled Multiple Launch Rocket System that can fire up to six rockets at a time. Depending on the model, the rockets can carry submunitions for area suppression or a single unitary blast warhead. It can also use the Army Tactical Missile System, a long-range battlefield missile with a range of over 180 miles.