United States: The United States has launched strikes against an alleged weapons storage facility in eastern Syria that it claims to be used by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and other Iran-backed groups.
US Defence Secretary Mr. Lloyd Austin said in a statement that the “self-defence strike” was carried out by two of the air force’s F-15 fighters as a response to recent attacks on US forces.
“The President has no higher priority than the safety of US personnel, and he directed today’s action to make clear that the United States will defend itself, its personnel, and its interests,” the statement noted.
According to Washington, due to the rising tensions in the region over the Israel-Hamas war, US troops and their allies have been attacked at least 40 times in Iraq and Syria by Iran-backed forces.
In October 2023, the Pentagon stated that the US struck two IRGC and Iran-linked facilities in Syria following attacks on US personnel.
“The United States is fully prepared to take further necessary measures to protect our people and our facilities. We urge against any escalation,” Mr. Austin added while calling for an end to the attacks.
According to reports, Washington has 900 troops in Syria and 2,500 more in Iraq, on a mission to advise and assist local forces trying to prevent a resurgence of ISIL. The US statement noted that its strikes are not connected with the Israel-Hamas war, amid concerns about a regional escalation of the crisis.
Iran supports both Hamas, which has governed Gaza since 2006, and the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah, which has been engaged in clashes with Tel Aviv along the Israel-Lebanon border.
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