US airstrikes target Iran-backed armed groups in Syria
ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported on Monday that US air planes targeted Iranian-backed armed groups in Syria.
SOHR said that they targeted a military headquarters near the city of Al-Mayadeen on the western bank of the Euphrates River, which is under control of Iran-backed groups and the Syrian government.
They also targeted, with 4 air strikes, sites in Albu Kamal near the Syrian-Iraqi border.
NEW US AirForce carried out two new airstrikes against Iranian proxy targets in Eastern Syria moments ago: US defense official.
— Jennifer Griffin (@JenGriffinFNC) November 12, 2023
Jennifer Griffin, a national security correspondent at the Pentagon for Fox News, on Twitter said that an US defense official confirmed that the US Air Force "carried out two new airstrikes against Iranian proxy targets in Eastern Syria moments ago."
#BREAKING:
— Omar Abu Layla (@OALD24) November 12, 2023
U.S. airstrikes have targeted one of the largest Iranian militia headquarters in Al-Siyal town in the eastern countryside of #DeirEzzor, resulting in casualties and injuries among the militia forces stationed at the military base.
Our sources on the ground have… pic.twitter.com/n2ZLel5sIP
Omar Abu Layla, executive director of Deir Ezzor 24, on Twitter also said that the US "airstrikes have targeted one of the largest Iranian militia headquarters in Al-Siyal town in the eastern countryside of Deir ez-Zor, resulting in casualties and injuries among the militia forces stationed at the military base."
“Today, in response to continued provocations by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and their affiliated groups in Iraq and Syria, U.S. Central Command (USCENTOM) conducted air strikes against facilities near the cities of Abu Kamal and Mayadin,” said General Michael Erik… pic.twitter.com/9j2H3tGhDN
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) November 12, 2023
Later, US CENTCOM confirmed the strikes in a tweet.
“Today, in response to continued provocations by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and their affiliated groups in Iraq and Syria, U.S. Central Command (USCENTOM) conducted air strikes against facilities near the cities of Abu Kamal and Mayadin,” said General Michael Erik Kurilla, USCENTCOM Commander. “The United States will continue to defend itself, its personnel, and its interests.”
US Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III in a separate statement said the strikes were conducted against a training facility and a safe house near the cities of Abu Kamal and Mayadin, respectively.
"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."
This marks the third United States response to Iran-backed groups in Syria.
🚨🚨🚨:
— Omar Abu Layla (@OALD24) November 13, 2023
After Iranian militias targeted the #Conoco military base last night, east of #Deirezzor with multiple rockets, a considerable number of these rockets landed dangerously close to civilian residences. pic.twitter.com/2z4tAnL6VH
Following the strikes, rocket fells near the Conoco military base.
The SOHR report said the US response came amidst the ongoing attacks by Iran-backed groups on US bases in Syria.
The Washington Institute's Militia Monitor has so far tracked 66 attacks on US bases in both Iraq and Syria since Oct. 18.