US Fighter Jets Strike Iran-Linked Sites in Syria in Retaliation for Attacks on US Troops

 US Fighter Jets Strike Iran-Linked Sites in Syria in Retaliation for Attacks on US Troops

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. fighter jets conducted airstrikes early on Friday on two locations in eastern Syria associated with Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps, as announced by the Pentagon. This action was taken in response to a series of drone and missile attacks against U.S. bases and personnel in the region that commenced the previous week.

These U.S. strikes exemplify the Biden administration's commitment to strike Iranian-backed groups suspected of targeting the U.S. decisively, with a goal to deter future aggression, potentially influenced by Israel's conflict with Hamas. Simultaneously, the administration is striving to avoid escalating tensions in the region and provoking a broader conflict.

According to a senior U.S. military official, precision strikes were carried out near Boukamal by two F-16 fighter jets, targeting weapons and ammunition storage areas linked to the IRGC. The official mentioned that the base housed Iranian-aligned militia and IRGC personnel, with no civilian presence. However, the U.S. does not yet have information regarding casualties or damage assessments, and the number of munitions launched by the F-16s remains undisclosed.

A senior defense official noted that the selected sites were due to their connection with the munitions used in attacks on U.S. bases and troops. These two officials briefed reporters anonymously, providing details about the mission that had not yet been disclosed.

The Pentagon reports that there have been at least 19 attacks on U.S. bases and personnel in Iraq and Syria since October 17, including three new incidents on Thursday. Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder stated that 21 U.S. personnel were injured in two of these assaults, which employed drones to target al-Asad Airbase in Iraq and al-Tanf Garrison in Syria.

In a statement, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin explained that these "precision self-defense strikes" are a response to ongoing attacks against U.S. personnel in Iraq and Syria by Iranian-backed militia groups, which began on October 17. President Joe Biden directed these narrowly tailored strikes to send a clear message that the United States will not tolerate such attacks and will defend its personnel and interests. He emphasized that this operation is separate from Israel's conflict with Hamas.

The senior defense official told reporters that the F-16 airstrikes will significantly impact the ability of Iranian proxy groups to continue attacking U.S. forces. While not specifying the exact groups targeted, the official acknowledged that several groups can have different names, but the U.S. holds Tehran responsible for funding, arming, equipping, and directing these proxies. The airstrikes are intended to compel Iran to instruct these militia groups to cease their attacks on American bases and personnel, rather than escalate regional conflict.

The Biden administration has not directly implicated Iran in the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel, and it appears that Tehran was not aware of it in advance. Nevertheless, the U.S. has expressed concerns about Iran's historical support for Hamas and the potential for Iran and its proxies to widen the conflict.

Austin stated that the U.S. does not seek a broader conflict, but if Iranian proxy groups persist in their attacks, the U.S. will not hesitate to take further action to safeguard its forces.

According to the Pentagon, all U.S. personnel injured in these attacks received minor injuries and have returned to duty. In addition, a contractor suffered a cardiac arrest and passed away while seeking shelter from a possible drone attack.

The retaliatory strikes did not come as a surprise, as officials from the Pentagon and the White House had consistently indicated that the U.S. would respond. Ryder reiterated on Thursday that the response would occur "at the time and place of our choosing."

Biden had previously warned Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, that if Tehran continues to act against U.S. forces in the Middle East, the U.S. will respond.

These recent attacks by Iranian-linked groups coincided with a deadly explosion at a Gaza hospital, leading to protests in several Muslim nations. The Israeli military has been conducting extensive operations in Gaza in response to a destructive Hamas incursion into southern Israel nearly three weeks ago. Israel denied responsibility for the al-Ahli hospital blast, and the U.S. intelligence assessment absolved Tel Aviv.

U.S. officials, including the Pentagon, have consistently stressed that any American response is directly linked to the attacks on U.S. troops and is not connected to the conflict between Israel and Hamas. Such retaliation and strikes against Iranian targets in Syria after similar attacks on U.S. bases are considered routine.

In March, the U.S. targeted sites in Syria affiliated 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 struck multiple locations around Deir el-Zour, operating from al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar.

U.S. officials emphasize that their responses are designed to be proportional and aimed at deterring attacks against U.S. personnel who are primarily focused on combating the Islamic State group.

U.S. officials have not publicly linked the recent string of attacks in Syria and Iraq to the Gaza violence, but Iranian officials have openly criticized the U.S. for providing weapons to Israel, which have been used in Gaza, resulting in civilian casualties.

Meanwhile, the Pentagon has bolstered air defenses in the region to protect U.S. forces. This includes the deployment of several Patriot missile systems, a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery, and additional fighter jets.

The THAAD system is being sent from Fort Bliss, Texas, while the Patriot batteries come from Fort Liberty in North Carolina and Fort Sill in Oklahoma. An Avenger air defense system from Fort Liberty is also being deployed.

Officials have stated that as many as two battalions of Patriots are being sent. A battalion can include at least three Patriot batteries, each with six to eight launchers.

Ryder confirmed on Thursday that around 900 troops have been deployed or are in the process of being deployed to the Middle East region, including those associated with the air defense systems.