Suspected U.S. airstrikes hit Syria's Deir al-Zour: report

DAMASCUS, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- Suspected U.S. airstrikes hit Syria's eastern province of Deir al-Zour, near the Iraqi border, in the early hours of Sunday, according to Lebanon-based al-Mayadeen TV.

The strike in the Haramish area followed an intensive drone attack on the U.S. military base at the Koniko gas field in Deir al-Zour's countryside, which reportedly caused direct damage to armored units at the base.

Attacks targeting U.S. bases at Koniko and other locations in the area are not new, which often trigger U.S. airstrikes.

The latest escalation comes amid rising regional tensions, following Israel's military assault in Lebanon and the killing of Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah. ■