The U.S. military conducted nine strikes against Iranian proxy targets in Syria on Monday, in response to recent attacks against U.S. service members in the region, U.S. Central Command said in a statement. be.
Centcom, which oversees U.S. forces and military assets in the region, said the airstrikes were conducted in two locations and were in response to “several attacks against U.S. military personnel in Syria in the past 24 hours.”
“These attacks will reduce the ability of Iranian-backed groups to plan and launch future attacks against U.S. and coalition forces in the region to conduct D-ISIS operations,” the statement said.
Gen. Michael Eric Kurilla, commander of Centcom, said the attack sends a clear message that attacks against the United States and regional coalition partners “will not be tolerated.”
Since the start of the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip in October 2023, Iranian-backed groups and other extremist organizations have stepped up attacks on U.S. forces in the region.
In August, eight U.S. service members were treated for traumatic brain injuries and smoke inhalation following a drone attack in Syria that authorities believe was carried out by an Iranian-backed militia.
Meanwhile, the US military is trying to counter such groups. Since August 29, Centcom has conducted more than 95 operations to defeat ISIS (D-ISIS), including attacks in Syria, killing 163 terrorists and capturing 33 others. The command made the announcement last week.
About 900 U.S. troops are active in Syria, although the U.S. military is increasing its forces in the region.
