This past Tuesday, U.S. military forces were ordered by President Joe Biden to carry out attacks on Iran-backed forces located in Syria, as reported by military officials.
These airstrike attacks were targeting various pieces of infrastructure that were allegedly being utilized by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps located inside the city of Deir ez-Zor, reported U.S. Central Command via a release.
“These precision strikes are intended to defend and protect U.S. forces from attacks like the ones on Aug. 15 against U.S. personnel by Iran-backed groups” explained the communications director for CENTCOM, Col. Joe Buccino. “The U.S. strikes targeted infrastructure facilities used by groups affiliated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.”
A report from Reuters stated that the incident that took place on the 15th of August involved an attack via drone strike against a compound that was run by a coalition and U.S.-backed Syrian opposition fighters.
Buccino stated that such attacks were entirely necessary to defend and protect U.S. personnel.
“The United States took proportionate, deliberate action intended to limit the risk of escalation and minimize the risk of casualties,” stated Buccino. “The President gave the direction for these strikes pursuant to his Article II authority to protect and defend U.S. personnel by disrupting or deterring attacks by Iran-backed groups.”
According to the statement, the U.S. does not seek out fights but will take any and all “necessary measures” to defend its people.
No casualties have been reported as a result of these strikes being carried out.
“U.S. forces remain in Syria to ensure the enduring defeat of ISIS,” continues the released statement.
Troops were first sent into Syria under the Obama administration and there partnered up with the Syrian Democratic Forces, a Kurdish-led group, to fight the Islamic State, as reported by Reuters. The U.S. has previously carried out strikes against Iran-backed forces in Syria and Iraq and hit operational weapons storage facilities.
Roughly 900 U.S. troops are currently situated in Syria, with most of those stationed along the areas more eastern region.
However, militia groups with the support of Iran established a foothold in Syria while fighting to support President Bashar al-Assad throughout the Syrian civil war, concluded Reuters.