American troops were fired upon in northeastern Syria after civilians attempted to block them at a crossroads. They returned fire and at least one Syrian was killed and another wounded, Syrian state television reported.

U.S. military spokesman Myles Caggins said American-led coalition forces were conducting a patrol of eight vehicles near Qamishli and encountered a checkpoint occupied by pro-Syrian militia forces. A tense standoff ensued as the militia along with Syrian civilians attempted to block the convoy from moving. Then, as the coalition troops warned the government troops to stand down, the U.S. troops came under small-arms fire from an unidentified group

“In self-defense, coalition troops returned fire. The situation was de-escalated and is under investigation,” Caggins added.