In response to recent drone and rocket attacks targeting American forces, the United States launched airstrikes on Tuesday against sites linked to Iranian-backed militias in Syria. According to US Central Command (CENTCOM), the strikes targeted "weapons storage and logistics headquarters facilities" associated with these groups, though the specific militia was not named. CENTCOM confirmed that the attacks inflicted no damage on US facilities, nor were there any injuries among American or partner forces.
This escalation follows an earlier wave of strikes conducted on Monday, when US forces hit nine sites linked to Iranian-backed groups. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a monitoring organization, the Monday strikes resulted in the deaths of four members of militias loyal to Iran.
The US military currently maintains approximately 900 troops in Syria and another 2,500 in Iraq as part of an international coalition established in 2014 to combat the Islamic State (IS) jihadist group. Tensions in the region have surged since October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched an attack on Israel, sparking hostilities in the Gaza Strip. In the aftermath, pro-Iranian factions have increasingly targeted US positions in Syria and Iraq, reportedly in retaliation for Washington's support of Israel.
