- The US has launched retaliatory airstrikes on two locations in eastern Syria linked to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps, the Pentagon has said
U.S. fighter jets on Friday launched retaliatory airstrikes on two locations in eastern Syria linked to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps, the Pentagon has said.
The strikes came as a response to a number of drone and missile attacks against U.S. bases and personnel in Iraq and Syria since 17 October.
According to the Pentagon, there have been at least 12 attacks on U.S. bases and personnel in Iraq and four in Syria since last week.
Air Force Brigadier General Pat Ryder said 21 U.S. personnel were injured in two of those assaults that used drones to target al Asad Airbase in Iraq and al Tanf Garrison in Syria.
“Today [on October 26], at President Biden’s direction, U.S. military forces conducted self-defense strikes on two facilities in eastern Syria used by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and affiliated groups,” Austin said in a statement, published by the Pentagon’s press service.
According to the Defense Secretary, “these precision self-defense strikes are a response to a series of ongoing and mostly unsuccessful attacks against US personnel in Iraq and Syria by Iranian-backed militia groups that began on October 17.”
Biden directed the action “to make clear that the United States will not tolerate such attacks” and will defend itself, its people, and its interests, the US defense chief added.
He added that the operation was separate and distinct from Israel’s war against Hamas.
Although the U.S. has not accused Iran of having a direct role in the 7 October attack on Israel by Hamas militants, it has noted Iran has long supported the terrorist group.
Likewise, Iranian officials have openly criticised the U.S. for providing Israel with weapons that have been used to strike Gaza.
The strikes came as little surprise, with the White House making it clear it would respond “at a time and place of our choosing.”
U.S. officials have routinely stressed that the American response is designed to be proportional, and is aimed at deterring strikes against US personnel who are focused on the fight against the Islamic State group.
