United States: The United States has carried out two more air strikes against facilities in Syria that are used by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and its aligned groups.
Mr. Lloyd Austin, US Defense Secretary, commented that the “precision strikes” targeted a training facility near the city of Albu Kamal and a safe house near the city of Mayadeen. According to Mr. Austin, the air strikes were a response to continued attacks against US forces in Syria and Iraq.
“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,” Mr. Austin said in a statement.
According to sources, one of the targets was a camp run by pro-Iranian armed groups in an area west of Albu Kamal, in Deir al-Zor province. The other strike was near a bridge close to the city of Mayadeen, which is near the Iraqi border and is a stronghold of pro-Iranian armed groups, it added.
The latest strike is the third in just over two weeks as the US seeks to put an end to drone and rocket attacks against its forces in Syria and Iraq. According to reports, attacks against US forces are linked to the Israel-Hamas war, which started a month ago.
In recent weeks, US and coalition troops have been attacked at least 40 times in Iraq and Syria by Iran-backed forces. “About 56 troops have been injured in the attacks in Syria and Iraq, but all have returned to duty,” the Pentagon noted.
The US has 900 troops in Syria and 2,500 more in neighboring Iraq. According to Washington, these troops are on a mission to advise and assist local forces trying to prevent a resurgence of ISIL.
TOP PICKS | UN says violence in Sudan ‘verging on pure evil’
