Russia warned the United States of reprisals Thursday after artillery fire from an area controlled by US-backed militants in eastern Syria targeted government troops.

A military spokesman in Moscow blamed Syrian Democratic Forces and said future attacks would be repelled.

“Syrian regime forces were twice targeted with massive fire from mortar launchers and rocket artillery from areas east of the Euphrates river where SDF forces and US special forces are,” Igor Konashenkov said in a statement.

“A representative of US command in Al Udeid, Qatar, was notified in severe form that attempts to attack from districts where SDF fighters are located will be repelled,” he said.

“Fire positions in these areas will be immediately suppressed with all available weapons,” he said.

Konashenkov said government forces control 85 percent of Deir Ezzor.

“The city will be liberated in the coming week,” he said.

On Monday, Syrian government troops crossed the Euphrates river, sealing off the city on three sides.

Meanwhile, SDF, an alliance of Kurdish and Arab militants backed by the US, is pushing the ISIL group from the northeastern part of the province, as the US-led coalition provides air cover.

Source: AFP