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On the night of Thursday, October 26, U.S. fighter jets carried out strikes on two Syria-based militia facilities with ties to Iran, in response to a series of drone and missile attacks targeting American troops. The Pentagon confirmed this retaliatory action, expressing concerns about the potential escalation of the Israel-Hamas conflict into a broader conflict across the Middle East.
As per statements from high-ranking U.S. military authorities, two F-16 fighter jets executed “precision” airstrikes in the vicinity of Boukamal in eastern Syria. These strikes targeted weapons and ammunition storage facilities associated with Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps, which had recently been utilized for attacks on U.S. installations.
The airstrikes were purportedly designed to send a resolute message to Iran-supported militant factions, conveying the U.S.’s unwavering commitment to respond with utmost strength to dissuade any prospective acts of aggression.
On Thursday, the U.S. base located in Kharab al-Jir, Syria, experienced a second attack within a two-day span, while an additional base in western Iraq also came under fire.
Since October 17, the Pentagon has documented a minimum of 19 assaults on U.S. bases and personnel in Iraq and Syria employing a combination of drones and missiles.
The Pentagon reports that 24 U.S. soldiers have sustained injuries, and one member of the personnel has tragically lost their life.
Tensions in the Middle East have escalated following Israel’s declaration of war on Hamas, triggered by the terrorist group’s devastating attacks on southern Israel on October 7, resulting in the loss of approximately 1,400 Israeli lives.
Earlier this week, it was reported that U.S. officials advised Israel to postpone a full-scale ground invasion of Gaza until the delivery of 12 advanced air defense systems to the region. The purpose was to protect U.S. troops in the Middle East, as there were concerns that these troops could become targets for groups like Hamas and other terrorist organizations once Israeli tanks and troops crossed the border.
Regarding the recent airstrikes, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin stated that these “precision self-defense strikes” were in response to a series of ongoing and mostly unsuccessful attacks against U.S. personnel in Iraq and Syria by Iranian-backed militia groups, which began on October 17.
He emphasized that President Biden directed the strikes to make it clear that the United States will not tolerate such attacks and will defend itself, its personnel, and its interests.
It’s important to note that Iran supports various Palestinian terror groups, such as Hamas and Islamic Jihad, as well as Lebanon-based Hezbollah and Yemen’s Houthis.