U.S. Military Strikes Iranian-Backed Facilities in Syria in Response to Attacks on U.S. Personnel

The United States military conducted strikes against two facilities in eastern Syria on Thursday in response to recent attacks against U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria. Nineteen U.S. service members have been injured in the attacks.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said in a statement that the strikes were conducted at the direction of President Biden and were a response to a series of ongoing and mostly unsuccessful attacks against U.S. personnel in Iraq and Syria by Iranian-backed militia groups that began on October 17.

The U.S. military action was aimed at two facilities used by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and affiliated groups. Austin said the strikes were intended to send a message that the United States does not seek conflict and has no intention nor desire to engage in further hostilities, but that the Iranian-backed attacks against U.S. forces are unacceptable and must stop.

The Pentagon has reported that Iranian-backed groups have targeted U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria with a mix of drones and rockets at least 16 times since October 17. The strikes come amid rising tensions in the region over the conflict in Israel.

The U.S. military action is intended to send a clear message that attacks on U.S. personnel will not be tolerated. The Defense Secretary said the United States will continue to take all necessary steps to protect its personnel and its interests in the region.