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Airstrikes carried out by the Pentagon against Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps targets in eastern Syria were conducted over several days, according to UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reports. Their strikes destroyed weapons depot near Abu Kamal and rocket launch platforms near Mayadin.
What happened?
Islamist militia linked to Iran have launched missile attacks against US bases in Syria and Iraq twice today, inflicting minor partner force casualties as well as damage to infrastructure, according to VOA reports. A field source told Al-Mayadeen news agency of Kataib Hezbollah near Kharab al-Jir in eastern Syria being behind these launches.
The United States military has responded with airstrikes targeting Iranian-linked groups in eastern Syria. According to Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reports, Sunday’s airstrikes completely destroyed a weapons depot around Abu Kamal and hit a rocket launch platform near Mayadin.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin stated on Monday in Seoul, South Korea at annual security talks that the United States will “not hesitate” to do whatever it takes to protect its troops. His remarks came as part of a campaign designed to deter attacks against approximately 900 US troops stationed in Iraq and Syria since Oct 17; over 40 soldiers have been wounded but most have returned to duty already.
Who fired the missiles?
Iran-backed proxies retaliated against US airstrikes by launching missile and drone attacks against an area in Syria which houses US forces, but no injuries were sustained and no US facilities were damaged in these assaults, as reported by a Defense Department official.
After the Douma attacks, the Pentagon initiated “precision strikes” against weapons depots and safe houses used by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard and Iran-affiliated groups in eastern Syria. At least eight pro-Iran fighters were killed, according to a UK-based war monitor.
Recently, Navy destroyer USS Carney was operating in the Red Sea when it intercepted multiple missiles and drones launched from areas controlled by Houthi rebels in Yemen – all part of an ongoing campaign against Iran and its agents across the Middle East.
Where were the missiles fired from?
On Saturday, a US destroyer patrolling the Red Sea shot down two suspected cruise missiles launched from Yemen-controlled by Houthi rebels, according to reports by the Pentagon.
Capt. Jeff Davis of the Pentagon told reporters Monday that guided-missile destroyer USS Mason and other ships in the Anti-Piracy Task Force intercepted these missiles “well before their attack paths”, using two SM-2 interceptors typically deployed against ballistic missiles.
Davis indicated that the strike on Shayrat Air Base was a proportionate response to Assad’s “heinous act”, targeting aircraft, hardened shelters, petroleum storage tanks, ammunition supply bunkers and air defense systems.
The Pentagon says the attack set back Syria’s chemical weapons program years. US intelligence believes aircraft from Shayrat conducted the April 4 chemical attack against civilians. Moving forward, the United States will take measures to reduce and deter use of banned chemicals by Assad regime while seeking the removal of chemical weapons from Syria.
What was the target of the missiles?
The United States military has responded to an increase in attacks from Iran-backed militia groups against bases housing American troops with retaliatory strikes, according to Sabrina Singh from the Defense Department spokeswoman’s Office of Public Affairs. She reported Sunday’s strikes targeting training facilities and safe houses used by Iranian-backed militia near Albu Kamal and Mayadin in eastern Syria; these strikes are considered self-defense with hostile fatalities reported during this phase.
The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that these attacks destroyed a weapons depot in Albu Kamal and damaged a rocket launch platform in Mayadin. Since entering Syria to combat ISIS in 2015, US-led coalition has now deployed approximately 900 troops throughout its territory.
Iran has provided support for Shia Muslim militias fighting alongside President Bashar al-Assad during Syria’s 12-year civil war, prompting US defense officials to conduct strikes in order to pressurize Tehran into ordering its proxy forces to stop attacking US forces in Iraq and Syria. A senior US defense official stated Sunday that these strikes are unrelated to Israel’s attack on Gaza and will not lead to larger conflicts.
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