Current:Home > MyU.S. strikes Iranian-backed militias in eastern Syria to retaliate for attacks on U.S. troops-DB Wealth Institute B2 Expert Reviews
U.S. strikes Iranian-backed militias in eastern Syria to retaliate for attacks on U.S. troops
View Date:2024-12-24 09:57:11
The U.S. military conducted strikes against two facilities in eastern Syria used by Iranian-backed groups in retaliation for recent attacks against U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria.
"The United States does not seek conflict and has no intention nor desire to engage in further hostilities, but these Iranian-backed attacks against U.S. forces are unacceptable and must stop," Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said in a statement Thursday night.
US officials on Thursday night told reporters the strikes were carried out by a pair of F-16s against a weapons storage area, and an ammunition storage area, near Abu Kamal in Syria.
Iranian-backed groups have targeted U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria with a mix of drones and rockets at least 16 times since Oct. 17, according to the Pentagon. The most recent attack took place Thursday in Erbil, Iraq, but did not result in any injuries.
Nineteen U.S. service members have been diagnosed with traumatic brain injuries, and two others sustained minor injuries as a result of the attacks. All of the troops have returned to duty.
A U.S. contractor died of cardiac arrest while sheltering in place last week at Al-Asad Airbase in Iraq. In that case, the alert triggering the lockdown was a false alarm and no attack occurred.
The uptick in attacks comes amidst international concern the war between Israel and Hamas could broaden into a wider conflict engulfing the entire Middle East.
President Biden on Wednesday warned that the U.S. would respond if the attacks continued.
"My warning to the Ayatollah was that if they continue to move against those troops, we will respond, and he should be prepared," Biden said. "It has nothing to do with Israel."
The retaliatory strikes are the latest action the Biden administration has taken to deter Iranian-backed groups and Iran. Over the weekend, the Pentagon announced it is surging support to the Middle East to enhance the protection of U.S. forces. The additional forces include the USS Eisenhower aircraft carrier strike group and more air defense systems.
Thursday's strikes are the second retaliatory actions the Biden administration has launched this year against Iranian-backed militias.
In March, the U.S. carried out precision air strikes in eastern Syria after an attack on a base hosting U.S. and coalition forces killed a U.S. contractor and wounded five U.S. service members and another U.S. contractor.
There are roughly 900 U.S. troops in Syria and 2,500 in Iraq, all as a part of the mission to defeat ISIS.
- In:
- Iraq
- United States Military
- Syria
CBS News reporter covering the Pentagon.
TwitterveryGood! (8664)
Related
- 2 striking teacher unions in Massachusetts face growing fines for refusing to return to classroom
- Moldova and Georgia celebrate as their aspirations for EU membership take crucial steps forward
- Navy officer serving 3-year sentence in Japan for deadly crash is now in U.S. custody, his family says
- Argentine President Javier Milei raffles off his last salary as lawmaker
- 13 escaped monkeys still on the loose in South Carolina after 30 were recaptured
- Delta adds flights to Austin, Texas, as airlines compete in emerging hub
- What is wrong with Draymond Green? Warriors big man needs to harness control on court
- Air Jordans made for filmmaker Spike Lee are up for auction after being donated to Oregon shelter
- Jennifer Garner Details Navigating Grief 7 Months After Death of Her Dad William Garner
- Australian mother Kathleen Folbigg's 20-year-old convictions for killing her 4 kids overturned
Ranking
- Don't Miss This Sweet Moment Between Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's Dads at the Kansas City Chiefs Game
- Comedian Kenny DeForest Dead at 37 After Bike Accident in NYC
- The EU’s drip-feed of aid frustrates Ukraine, despite the promise of membership talks
- California men charged with running drugs to Australia, New Zealand disguised as car parts, noodles
- Smithfield agrees to pay $2 million to resolve child labor allegations at Minnesota meat plant
- Khloe Kardashian Cleverly Avoids a Nip Slip With Her Latest Risqué Look
- 1000-Lb. Sisters Shows Glimpse Into Demise of Amy Slaton and Michael Halterman's Marriage
- Air Jordans made for filmmaker Spike Lee are up for auction after being donated to Oregon shelter
Recommendation
-
Incredible animal moments: Watch farmer miraculously revive ailing chick, doctor saves shelter dogs
-
South Korea scrambles jets as China and Russia fly warplanes into its air defense zone
-
Economists now predict the U.S. is heading for a soft landing. Here's what that means.
-
85-year-old man charged after stabbing wife over pancakes she made for him, DC prosecutors say
-
Missouri prosecutor says he won’t charge Nelly after an August drug arrest
-
Fuming over setback to casino smoking ban, workers light up in New Jersey Statehouse meeting
-
The Indicator of the Year
-
Vivek Ramaswamy campaigns with former Iowa congressman with a history of racist remarks