US Strikes Two Syrian Facilities In Response To Iran Militia Attacks (image-twitter/USAFCENT)
The United States attacked two facilities in Syria used by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and Iran-backed groups following a series of attacks against US forces in Iraq and Syria, according to a statement from Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Thursday.
Austin also added in his statement that the United State has no intention to engage in further hostilities but the Iranian-backed attacks against US forces are unacceptable and must stop.
“If attacks by Iran’s proxies against US forces continue, we will not hesitate to take further necessary measures to protect our people,” Austin said.
Austin described the strikes, ordered by President Joe Biden, as narrowly tailored in “self-defense” and they are separate from the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
Biden is looking forward to send a message to Iran and the militia not to escalate their attacks and spark a wider conflict in the Middle East.
Earlier on Thursday, US has announced that they have deployed about 900 troops to the Middle East and plans to send in more. They have also moved two carrier strike groups to the eastern Mediterranean Sea and an amphibious ready group closer to Israel.
The US Department of Defense said on Thursday that US and allied forces in Iraq and Syria has been attacked at least 16 times this month by ‘Iranian-backed militia groups.’
As per the reports from US forces, attacks on US troops have increased since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war. According to US officials, 21 US personnel has been injured in the attacks most of them suffering from traumatic brain injuries.
Biden has earlier sent a message to Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warning Tehran against targeting US personnel in the Middle East, reports Al Jazeera.
Iran backs both Hamas and the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah, which Israel has clashed with in skirmishes along the Israel-Lebanon border.
On Thursday, Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said at the United Nations that the US will ‘not be spared from this fire’ if Israel continues with its bombardment in Gaza.
