The U.S. Military Strikes Iranian Targets in Syria
The U.S. military carried out airstrikes against two locations in eastern Syria linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) early Friday, according to the Pentagon.
The “precision self-defense strikes” were ordered by President Joe Biden in response to ongoing attacks on U.S. personnel in Iraq and Syria by Iranian-backed militia groups, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin stated.
No specific details about the targets were provided.
“The President has no higher priority than the safety of U.S. personnel, and he directed today’s action to make clear that the United States will not tolerate such attacks and will defend itself, its personnel, and its interests,” stated the Pentagon chief.
According to the Pentagon, there have been at least 12 attacks on U.S. bases and personnel in Iraq and four in Syria since October 17 by Iran-backed forces. Tehran supports Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and Lebanon’s Hezbollah.
During two of these assaults, which targeted al-Asad Airbase in Iraq and al-Tanf Garrison in Syria, 21 U.S. personnel were injured by drone attacks, revealed Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder.
All U.S. personnel have returned to duty, except for one U.S. citizen contractor who died from a cardiac incident while taking shelter during the attacks, mentioned Mr. Austin.
Earlier, National Security Council spokesman Adm. John Kirby confirmed that President Biden had sent a direct message to Iran’s leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, warning against targeting U.S. troops in the Middle East.
It is routine for the U.S. to retaliate and strike Iranian targets in Syria after similar attacks on U.S. bases. The Pentagon clarified that these strikes are unrelated to the Israel-Hamas conflict.
“These strikes were solely intended to protect and defend U.S. personnel in Iraq and Syria. We urge all entities to avoid actions that could escalate into a broader regional conflict,” emphasized Mr. Austin.
The United States seeks to avoid a broader conflict, but if Iranian proxy groups persist, additional action will be taken to safeguard U.S. forces, he added.
“Iran wants to hide its hand and deny its role in these attacks against our forces. We will not let them,” declared the Pentagon chief.
The retaliatory strikes were expected, as officials at the Pentagon and the White House had made it clear that the U.S. would respond. Brig. Gen. Ryder stated on October 24 that the response would occur “at the time and place of our choosing.”
“We will always maintain the inherent right of self-defense,” he assured reporters.
Pentagon press secretary Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder holds a press conference at the Pentagon in Arlington, Va., on Oct. 19, 2023. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
On October 24, the Pentagon acknowledged that since Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, terrorist groups supported by Iran have launched numerous drone and missile attacks against U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria.
“We know that the groups conducting these attacks are supported by the IRGC and the Iranian regime,” revealed Brig. Gen. Ryder. “We are seeing the potential for further escalation against U.S. forces and personnel in the region, both from Iranian proxy forces and ultimately from Iran itself.”
On the same day, the Pentagon announced the arrival of a squadron of F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, which includes the Middle East, Central Asia, and parts of South Asia.
The United States currently has 900 troops in Syria and an additional 2,500 in neighboring Iraq, assisting local forces in preventing the resurgence of ISIS. The Pentagon recently deployed around 900 more troops to the Middle East to enhance air defenses for U.S. personnel.
Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Gallant stated that Israel has no interest in expanding the war when asked about the possibility of a confrontation with Iran.
The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.
What are the primary reasons behind the U.S. airstrikes targeting Iranian-backed militias in the region?
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The airstrikes took place near the Syria-Iraq border, targeting facilities used by Iranian-backed militias who have been carrying out drone attacks against U.S. personnel and facilities in the region.
“Specifically, the strikes destroyed multiple facilities at a border control point used by a number of Iranian-backed militia groups, including Kait’ib Hezbollah (KH) and Kait’ib Sayyid al-Shuhada (KSS),” Pentagon press secretary John Kirby said in a statement.
Kirby added that the airstrikes were defensive in nature and aimed at “sending a clear and unambiguous message: President Biden will act to protect American coalition personnel. At the same time, we have acted in a deliberate manner that aims to deescalate the overall situation in both eastern Syria and Iraq.”
The airstrikes come as part of a series of escalating incidents in the region. In recent weeks, there have been several drone attacks targeting U.S. military and civilian personnel in Iraq, including a drone attack on a U.S. airbase in Erbil earlier this week that resulted in the death of a civilian contractor and injured several others.
Iran has denied involvement in the drone attacks and has condemned the U.S. airstrikes as a violation of international law. Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh called the strikes “illegal aggression” and warned of “consequences” for the U.S.
The U.S. military’s actions have received mixed reactions from lawmakers and analysts. Some have praised the strikes as a necessary response to protect U.S. personnel and deter further attacks, while others have raised concerns about the potential for escalation and the need for diplomatic solutions.
According to the Pentagon, the airstrikes were carried out in coordination with diplomatic measures, including consultations with coalition partners and notification of the Russian government, which has a significant military presence in Syria.
The Biden administration has made it clear that it will respond to attacks on U.S. personnel and facilities, while also emphasizing its desire to engage in diplomatic efforts to deescalate tensions in the region. However, the recent airstrikes highlight the ongoing challenges in balancing military action and diplomacy in the complex and volatile Middle East.
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