In response to ongoing attacks on U.S. personnel in Iraq and Syria, the United States launched a new series of airstrikes against facilities used by Iran and its affiliated groups in eastern Syria on Sunday night. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin confirmed that the precision strikes targeted a training facility and a safe house near the cities of Abu Kamal and Mayadin, respectively. The strikes were carried out against the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Iran-affiliated groups.
Senior U.S. defense officials reported that approximately 6-7 Iranian-backed terrorists were killed at one of the locations, with secondary explosions observed at the second site, indicating potential large weapons and ammunition storage. This action follows a similar strike conducted by the U.S. last week in response to rocket and drone attacks that led to brain injuries for dozens of U.S. soldiers. In recent weeks, there have been an estimated 48 attacks on U.S. forces by Iranian-backed terrorists, resulting in at least 56 U.S. soldiers sustaining injuries.
It has been reported that President Joe Biden has opted against more aggressive bombing options proposed by the Pentagon to ensure the safety of U.S. forces, expressing concerns about potentially provoking Iran.
The U.S. has heightened its military presence in the Middle East in response to increased threats. Last month, Hamas, a Palestinian Islamic terrorist group backed by Iran, carried out a terror attack resulting in the deaths of 1,200 Israelis. In response, the U.S. deployed the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group to the Central Command area of responsibility and the USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group to the Eastern Mediterranean Sea. Additional defensive measures, including the deployment of Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) batteries and Patriot battalions, were implemented, with extra forces on standby for potential deployment.
The Pentagon confirms new military strikes on several Iranian terrorist facilities in Syria https://t.co/6C9li8GuLH #World
— VOZ (@Voz_US) November 13, 2023
