Current:Home > MarketsU.S. strikes Iranian-backed militias in eastern Syria to retaliate for attacks on U.S. troops-LoTradeCoin
U.S. strikes Iranian-backed militias in eastern Syria to retaliate for attacks on U.S. troops
View Date:2024-12-23 23:07:55
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! (8224)
Related
- Are Ciara Ready and Russell Wilson Ready For Another Baby? She Says…
- Of the Subway bread choices, which is the healthiest? Ranking the different types
- Nashville woman missing for weeks found dead in creek as homicide detectives search for her car
- TikTokers Campbell Pookie and Jeff Puckett Reveal the Fire Origin of Her Nickname
- Nevada trial set for ‘Dances with Wolves’ actor in newly-revived sex abuse case
- Dakota Johnson Shares Her Outlook on Motherhood Amid Chris Martin Romance
- Apple fined almost $2 billion by EU for giving its music streaming service leg up over rivals'
- California man is first in the US to be charged with smuggling greenhouse gases, prosecutors say
- Apologetic rapper Tekashi 6ix9ine gets 45 days in prison for probation violations
- Texas Panhandle wildfires have burned nearly 1.3 million acres in a week – and it's not over yet
Ranking
- Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has a long record of promoting anti-vaccine views
- Landon Barker Shares He Has Tourette Syndrome
- '$6.6 billion deal': Arkhouse and Brigade increase buyout bid for Macy's
- 'The Harlem Renaissance' and what is Black art for?
- Detroit-area police win appeal over liability in death of woman in custody
- 5 die in fiery small plane crash off Nashville interstate
- Top Israeli cabinet official meets with U.S. leaders in Washington despite Netanyahu's opposition
- Conspiracies hinder GOP’s efforts in Kansas to cut the time for returning mail ballots
Recommendation
-
MLS Star Marco Angulo Dead at 22 One Month After Car Crash
-
Jamie Foxx promises to 'tell you what happened' during his mysterious 2023 health scare
-
Facebook, Instagram, Messenger and Threads down in widespread outage
-
Rita Moreno calls out 'awful' women in Hollywood, shares cheeky 'Trump Sandwich' recipe
-
Alexandra Daddario Shares Candid Photo of Her Postpartum Body 6 Days After Giving Birth
-
Apple fined almost $2 billion by EU for giving its music streaming service leg up over rivals'
-
Supreme Court says Trump can appear on 2024 ballot, overturning Colorado ruling
-
Being a female runner shouldn't be dangerous. Laken Riley's death reminds us it is.