US Air Force charges airman in Syria base attack

Four American troops were wounded in blast at Green Village

US Air Force Thunderbirds perform in Colorado Springs, Colorado. An investigation into the Green Village attack found at least one person had deliberately placed explosive near US troops. Getty Images / AFPShow less

The US Air Force has filed charges against an airman in connection with an April attack at a base in eastern Syria that wounded four American troops.

Tech Sgt David Dezwaan Jr is facing charges including dereliction of duty, destruction of military property, reckless endangerment, unauthorised access of a government computer, obtaining classified information and aggravated assault, the Air Force said in a press release.

The US military initially said the April 7 attack in Green Village was the result of indirect fire, possibly a rocket strike. An investigation later found that at least one person had deliberately placed explosives near US troops.

The Air Force last month said it had arrested a servicemember on suspicion of being connected to the attack.

Central Command determined the explosives had been placed at an ammunition depot near a shower block.

A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for August 23 at Hill Air Force Base in the US state of Utah, the Air Force said.

The blast struck two buildings and four troops were evaluated for minor injuries.

Displaced Syrian families — in pictures

A Syrian child, displaced with their family from Deir Ezzor, plays with her doll inside the damaged building where she is living in Syria's northern city of Raqqa. All photos: AFP

Syrian girls, displaced with their family from Deir Ezzor, look at the camera inside the damaged building where they are living in Syria's northern city of Raqqa.

A view of a damaged building housing internally displaced Syrians from Deir Ezzor in Syria's northern city of Raqqa.

A Syrian girl, displaced with her family from Deir Ezzor, looks at the camera inside the damaged building where she is living in Syria's northern city of Raqqa.

A Syrian boy, displaced with his family from Deir Ezzor, watches inside the damaged building where he is living in Syria's northern city of Raqqa.

A Syrian mother, displaced with her family from Deir Ezzor, rocks a baby to sleep inside the damaged building where she is living in Syria's northern city of Raqqa.

Syrian children, displaced with their family from Deir Ezzor, stand on the balcony of a damaged building where they are living in Syria's northern city of Raqqa.

Syrian children, displaced with their family from Deir Ezzor, play in a damaged building where they now live in Syria's northern city of Raqqa.

A Syrian boy, displaced with his family from Deir Ezzor, looks at the camera inside the damaged building where he is living in Syria's northern city of Raqqa.

A Syrian mother, displaced with her family from Deir Ezzor, rocks a baby to sleep inside the damaged building where she is living in Syria's northern city of Raqqa.