The United States (U.S.) military carried out an airstrike on Tuesday targeting a weapons storage facility in Syria operated by Iranian-aligned militias, in response to an attack by Iranian-backed militants on U.S. forces in Syria the previous day.
According to the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), the strike caused no civilian casualties. A post-strike battle damage assessment is underway to determine the operation’s full impact.
CENTCOM Forces Strike Iranian Aligned Target in Syria in Response to Attack on U.S. Personnel pic.twitter.com/w7bbBnLhD8
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) November 26, 2024
According to CENTCOM, the operation aimed to weaken the militia’s ability to launch future attacks on U.S. and coalition personnel. The targeted facility was believed to house weapons used by Iranian-backed groups to coordinate and execute attacks against U.S. forces in the region.
“We will not tolerate attacks on our personnel and coalition partners,” said CENTCOM Commander General Michael “Erik” Kurilla. “We are committed to taking all necessary actions to ensure their protection.”
This airstrike is the latest in a series of responses by the U.S. military to ongoing threats from Iranian-aligned militias. Since the October 2023 outbreak of conflict between Israel and Hamas, pro-Iran groups have intensified attacks on U.S. positions in Iraq and Syria.
The strike occurred amid heightened tensions across the Middle East. Iran’s network of proxies, including militias in Syria and Iraq and the Houthi rebels in Yemen, have escalated attacks on U.S. forces and international assets in the region. In parallel, Iranian-backed Hezbollah has been engaged in clashes with Israeli forces in Lebanon, though a ceasefire was reached on Tuesday.
The U.S. has approximately 900 troops stationed in Syria and 2,500 in Iraq as part of its ongoing mission to combat ISIS and maintain regional stability.
