Syria
The defense secretary said the US would defend its personnel and interests in the region amid increasing attacks on US troops in Iraq and Syria
Agencies
Monday, November 13, 2023, 04:28 GMT
The United States carried out strikes against two Iran-linked sites in Syria on Sunday in response to attacks on American forces, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said.
It is the third time in less than three weeks that the U.S. military has struck targets in Syria allegedly linked to Iran, which backs armed groups that Washington blames for a surge in attacks on its forces in the Middle East .
“U.S. forces today conducted precision strikes on facilities in eastern Syria used by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Iran-affiliated groups in response to ongoing attacks on U.S. personnel in Iraq and Syria,” Austin said in a statement.
“The attacks were carried out against a training facility and a safe house near the towns of Albu Kamal and Mayadeen.
Why did the US launch airstrikes on Syria and what happens next?
“The President has no higher priority than the safety of U.S. personnel, and he ordered today’s action to make clear that the United States will defend itself, its personnel, and its interests.”
The U.S. targeted a Tehran-linked weapons depot in Syria on Wednesday and also struck two Syrian facilities on Oct. 26 that were allegedly used by Iran and its affiliated organizations.
According to Washington’s assessment, there were no fatalities in any of the previous attacks.
According to the US, the attacks are aimed at deterring attacks on American forces in Iraq and Syria, which have increased in the wake of the Israel-Hamas war. According to the US, there have been more than 45 attacks on its troops in the region since October 17, in which dozens of US soldiers have been injured.
According to the Pentagon, about 56 US soldiers were injured in the attacks. Their injuries ranged from traumatic brain injuries to minor wounds, and all were back on duty, the Pentagon said.
Around 2,500 US soldiers are stationed in Iraq and 900 in Syria to prevent a resurgence of the Islamic State terrorist militia. The jihadists once held significant territory in both countries but were pushed back in a multiyear conflict by local ground forces backed by international airstrikes.
The Gaza conflict also impacted the United States outside of Iraq and Syria. Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels said Wednesday they shot down a U.S. drone that was “conducting hostile surveillance and espionage activities in Yemeni territorial waters.” “Part of American military support” for Israel.
Senior U.S. officials, which provided military support to Israel after the Oct. 7 attack and also bolstered American forces in the region, have confirmed that one of their drones was shot down.
With Agence France-Presse and Associated Press
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