The US has launched strikes on Iranian-linked targets in Syria following a series of drone attacks on American military bases in the Middle East.
Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin announced on Thursday night that “self-defence strikes” had been carried out on two sites in eastern Syria used by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
While the move marks a significant escalation between Iran and the US at a time when tensions are rising in the Middle East, Mr Austin insisted that the move has nothing to do with the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas.
“Today, at President Biden’s direction, U.S. military forces conducted self-defense strikes on two facilities in eastern Syria used by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and affiliated groups,” he said in a statement.
“These precision self-defense strikes are a response to a series of ongoing and mostly unsuccessful attacks against US personnel in Iraq and Syria by Iranian-backed militia groups that began on October 17.”
Mr Austin added: “The United States does not seek conflict and has no intention nor desire to engage in further hostilities, but these Iranian-backed attacks against US forces are unacceptable and must stop. Iran wants to hide its hand and deny its role in these attacks against our forces. We will not let them.
“If attacks by Iran’s proxies against US forces continue, we will not hesitate to take further necessary measures to protect our people.
“These narrowly tailored strikes in self-defense were intended solely to protect and defend U.S. personnel in Iraq and Syria. They are separate and distinct from the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, and do not constitute a shift in our approach to the Israel-Hamas conflict. We continue to urge all state and non-state entities not to take action that would escalate into a broader regional conflict.”
Since 17 October, the Defense Department said that US and coalition forces have been targeted by drones or rockets at least 10 times in Iraq and three times in Syria.
One of these attacks resulted in the death of a US citizen contractor who suffered a cardiac incident while sheltering in place from the strikes.
A further 21 US citizens suffered minor injuries.
“The President has no higher priority than the safety of US personnel, and he directed today’s action to make clear that the United States will not tolerate such attacks and will defend itself, its personnel, and its interests,” said Mr Austin.