"US fighter jets Friday night struck a Syrian force that attempted to reach the US-controlled eastern bank of the Euphrates, accompanied by Russian mercenaries,” DEBKAfile’s exclusive military sources report. It is not known whether there were Russian casualties. This was a second Syrian attempt to cross the river and it was mounted from near the same location as the first, outside the town of Deir ez-Zour on Feb. 7. In that episode, US marines repelled the crossing, causing some 200 casualties among the Russian “mercenaries” who were assisting the Syrian troops. Thursday night, the US military warned the Russian command against a repetition: “Russian private military contractors remain in the area and are using local pro-regime troops to scout coalition positions,” the US spokesman said, adding: “If it comes down to it we will defend ourselves.”
https://www.debka.com/mivzak/exclusive-us-air-force-thwarts-another-syrian-push-across-the-euphrates/
Japan's Prime Minister Pledges Constitution Change To Allow Military Help To Allies
http://www.manilatimes.net/japans-abe-pledges-constitution-change/388617/
NATO Spy Planes Over Syria
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/nato-s-awacs-give-u-s-eyes-sky-over-syria-n858261