Following the US military’s air strikes on targets linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard corps on Sunday, US forces were attacked at least four more times by Iran-backed groups in Syria, a US official informed CNN.
Subsequent to the US strike on a training facility and safe house near the cities of Abu Kamal and Mayadin, four attacks were carried out. The Pentagon has not reported any injuries or damages from the latest assaults.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin stated, “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 defend itself, its personnel, and its interests.”
According to a US official, the recent attacks included a mix of rocket and drone attacks across four different locations. No casualties or infrastructure damage were reported in these attacks.
As of Monday morning, there have been at least 52 attacks against US and coalition forces since October 17, with 56 troops injured. Sunday’s strikes mark the third time the US has attacked facilities or targets in the region following continued attacks on US and coalition forces in Iraq and Syria.
On Sunday, a second defense official said that the training facility was believed to also be functioning as a logistics and weapons storage facility. The safe house near Mayadin was assessed to be functioning as a headquarters facility for IRGC-affiliated groups in the area.
This operation was intended to disrupt and degrade the freedom of action and capabilities of IRGC and affiliated forces directly responsible for attacking US forces. The United States does not seek conflict and has no desire to engage in further hostilities, but these attacks against US forces are unacceptable and must stop. We specifically targeted IRGC-associated facilities to make clear to Iran that we will hold them responsible for these attacks against US forces.
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