The United States has carried out an air strike at a facility operated by Iran-backed militias in response to attacks on the American troops in Syria and Iraq triggered by the Israel-Hamas war. Pentagon said the US carried out two air strikes in Syria against Iran and its aligned groups on Sunday, reported Reuters. This is the third such assault by the US in Syria since October 26. The second one was launched on Wednesday, Nov 8.
"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 defend itself, its personnel, and its interests," US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said in a statement. He said the strikes targeted a training facility near the city of Albu Kamal and a safe house near the city of Mayadeen, adding that the US President Joe Biden ordered the attacks.
Reuters cited sources as saying that the strikes targeted a camp run by pro-Iranian militias and the other one was near a bridge close to the city of Mayadeen, near the Iraqi border. The area is said to be a stronghold of pro-Iranian militias, the sources said, as quoted by Reuters.
In a statement, Gen. Michael Kurilla, head of US Central Command called the strikes a "response" to "continued provocations by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and their affiliated groups in Iraq and Syria."
"The United States will continue to defend itself, its personnel, and its interests," he concluded, as quoted by the abc News.
Iran has backed Hamas in its war against Israel and accused the United States and others of Israel's declared war against the Palestinian militant group, the report further added.
US and coalition troops have been attacked at least over 40 times in Iraq and Syria by Iran-backed groups in recent weeks. As per Reuters, at least 45 US troops have suffered severe brain injuries or minor wounds.
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