US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said the military action was a response to recent attacks on US bases in Iraq and Syria by Iranian-backed militias.
The United States carried out airstrikes against two arms and ammunition depots in eastern Syria used by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard.
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said the military action was a response to recent attacks on US bases in Iraq and Syria by Iranian-backed militias.
The attacks were “separate and distinct from the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas,” Austin said in a statement.
Iran had no comment on the latest developments.
The attacks occurred this Friday (10/27) around 4:30 local time, near Abu Kamal, a town on the border with Iraq.
There is no confirmation of casualties yet.
“These precision self-defense strikes are a response to a series of ongoing and mostly unsuccessful attacks against Americans in Iraq and Syria by Iranian-backed militia groups, which began on October 17,” Austin said .
Since the beginning of the conflict between Israel and Hamas, soldiers of the US-led military coalition have been attacked at least 12 times in Iraq and four times in Syria.
According to the Pentagon, 21 US service members suffered minor injuries.
American authorities attribute the attacks to Iranian groups operating in the region. Iran supports both Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, and Hezbollah, which operates in Lebanon, with weapons and money.
“These Iranian-backed attacks against American forces are unacceptable and must stop,” Austin said.
“If attacks by Iranian proxies against U.S. forces continue, we will not hesitate to take other measures necessary to protect our people.”
The White House said Thursday (10/26) that President Joe Biden issued warnings against Iran over attacks on Americans in the Middle East in a rare message to Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khameni.
Also on Thursday, during a meeting of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian warned that if what he called the “genocide in Gaza” continues and the conflict spreads throughout the region, the United States “will not be spared this fire”.
The United States has sent warships and fighter planes to the region in recent weeks. On Thursday, a U.S. official said about 900 American troops would be moved to the region.
American bases in the Middle East have been attacked in the past, and the United States has responded with retaliatory attacks.
In March, the United States carried out several airstrikes in eastern Syria against Iran-linked groups after a drone strike killed an American contractor.
Israel was not notified
The United States did not coordinate or inform Israel in advance about airstrikes carried out in eastern Syria, Pentagon officials told reporters.
The sources reiterated that the incident is not linked to the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Previously, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin stressed that the attacks were “separate and distinct” from what is happening in Gaza and “do not constitute a change in our approach” to the conflict.
Pentagon officials also said the strikes were intended to send a clear message to Iran.
Source: Terra
Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.
