On Sunday, November 12, the Pentagon announced that a new round of airstrikes have been conducted on Iranian facilities located in Syria. These strikes come after the recent attacks by Iran against American troops located in Iraq and Syria.
This operation marks a significant escalation by the Biden administration, but they are hoping to avoid further regional conflict as tensions over the war in Gaza flare up.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin released a statement regarding this attack, saying that it was done “to make clear that the United States will defend itself, its personnel, and its interests.” A senior U.S. defense official said that these strikes had targeted two areas: a training facility near Bukamal and a “safe house” near Mayadin. The safe house was used by groups affiliated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
It has been reported that some militia personnel were present at this location when the strike occurred and that fatalities have resulted from it. President Biden directed this operation personally, showing how serious he is about protecting US interests in this region of the world.
The Pentagon has not disclosed which type of aircraft was used during these airstrikes or what else might be done to protect US personnel from future attacks from Iran-backed groups. However, they have stated clearly that they will take any necessary measures to safeguard their people if needed.
U.S. AIRSTRIKES IN SYRIA 11/12/23:
– The U.S. conducted airstrikes on facilities in eastern Syria that are used by Iranian-affiliated groups and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
– Six to seven Iranian proxy fighters were killed in the strikes.
– President Biden did… pic.twitter.com/4Ht90konOy— Global: Military-Info (@Global_Mil_Info) November 13, 2023
Fox News reported:
“A senior U.S. defense official told Fox News that at least 6 Iranian proxy fighters were killed in the U.S.’s attacks on Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) stations in the Middle East Sunday.
The IRGC stations are located in the Syrian cities of Abu Kamal and Mayadin, according to Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin. The buildings were reportedly a safe house and training facility, but a senior defense source told Fox that the safe house functioned as a headquarters.
An official told Fox that secondary explosions were seen at one of the locations, suggesting that there was a large amount of flammable ammo or weapons in the facility.
Referencing the two previous recent strikes that the U.S. military had against Iran-backed targets, the U.S. official said that, “This one will hurt them a lot more than the past strikes.”
Austin said that the airstrikes were “in response to continued attacks against U.S. personnel in Iraq and Syria.”
“The President has no higher priority than the safety of U.S. personnel, and he directed today’s action to make clear that the United States will defend itself, its personnel, and its interests,” Austin’s statement read.”
