U.S. Military Launches Airstrikes on Iranian-Linked Targets in Syria in Response to Attacks
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Early Friday morning, the U.S. military carried out airstrikes on two locations in eastern Syria with suspected ties to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps. The Pentagon announced the operation, emphasizing that it was in retaliation for a series of recent drone and missile attacks against U.S. bases and personnel in the region, which began in the past week.
The strikes undertaken by the United States reflect the Biden administration’s commitment to a complex balancing act. The U.S. aims to respond decisively to Iranian-backed groups believed to be targeting American interests while also avoiding escalating tensions in the region, which could lead to a broader conflict, potentially exacerbated by Israel’s ongoing war against Hamas.
Specific details regarding the targets of the airstrikes and other operational information were not immediately disclosed.
BREAKING: The U.S. launched airstrikes against two Iranian-linked locations in Syria, the Pentagon said. The strikes followed drone and missile attacks against U.S. bases and personnel in the region that started last week. https://t.co/7nbs6jFIQD
— The Associated Press (@AP) October 27, 2023
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 17th. Two of these attacks, utilizing drones to target the al-Asad Airbase in Iraq and the al-Tanf Garrison in Syria, resulted in injuries to 21 U.S. personnel.
In a statement, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin stated that the “precision self-defense strikes” were a response to a series of ongoing attacks by Iranian-backed militia groups in Iraq and Syria since October 17th. President Joe Biden directed these targeted strikes to make it unequivocally clear that the United States will not tolerate such attacks and will defend its personnel and interests. The Defense Secretary emphasized that these operations were entirely separate from Israel’s conflict with Hamas.
Austin stressed that the United States does not seek a broader conflict, but if Iranian proxy groups continue to pose a threat, the U.S. is prepared to take further action to safeguard its forces.
All U.S. personnel injured in the recent attacks sustained minor injuries and have returned to their duties. Additionally, a contractor suffered a cardiac arrest and died while seeking shelter during a potential drone attack.
The retaliatory strikes were anticipated, as both Pentagon and White House officials had made it clear that the U.S. would respond to the attacks, choosing the “time and place of our choosing,” as reiterated by Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder.
The recent spate of attacks by Iranian-linked groups coincided with a deadly explosion at a Gaza hospital, leading to protests in several Muslim nations. While the Israeli military has been targeting Gaza in response to the earlier Hamas incursion in southern Israel, Israel has denied responsibility for the al-Ahli hospital explosion, and the U.S. intelligence assessment supported this claim, absolving Tel Aviv of involvement.
The U.S. government, including the Pentagon, has repeatedly emphasized that any American response would be directly related to the attacks on U.S. troops and not connected to the Israel-Hamas conflict. Retaliatory strikes against Iranian targets in Syria following similar attacks on U.S. bases are considered routine.
In March, for instance, the U.S. targeted sites in Syria used by groups associated with Iran’s Revolutionary Guard after an Iranian-linked attack resulted in the death of a U.S. contractor and injuries to seven other Americans in northeast Syria. American F-15 fighter jets conducted strikes in the vicinity of Deir el-Zour, launching from al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar.
U.S. officials have stressed that the American response is proportional and aims to deter attacks against U.S. personnel engaged in the fight against the Islamic State group.
Although U.S. officials have not publicly linked the recent string of attacks in Syria and Iraq to the violence in Gaza, Iranian officials have openly criticized the United States for providing weapons to Israel, which were allegedly used in Gaza strikes resulting in civilian casualties.
To enhance the protection of U.S. forces in the region, the Pentagon has bolstered air defenses. The U.S. is dispatching several batteries of Patriot missile systems, a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery, and additional fighter jets.
The THAAD system is being deployed from Fort Bliss, Texas, while the Patriot batteries originate from Fort Liberty in North Carolina and Fort Sill in Oklahoma. An Avenger air defense system from Fort Liberty is also being sent.
Reports indicate that up to two battalions of Patriots are being deployed, with each battalion typically comprising at least three Patriot batteries, each equipped with six to eight launchers.
Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder revealed that approximately 900 troops have been deployed or are in the process of deployment to the Middle East region, including those associated with the air defense systems.
The situation continues to evolve, and the United States remains vigilant in its efforts to safeguard its interests and personnel in the region.
US FORCES CONDUCT AIRFORCE STRIKES AGAINST IRAN INSIDE SYRIA ### pic.twitter.com/2MH9eK9zlc
— The_Real_Fly (@The_Real_Fly) October 27, 2023