U.S. Military Executed Airstrikes On Two Sites In Eastern Syria

1. Airstrike Execution: A Response to Aggression

On the morning of October 27, 2023, the U.S. military executed airstrikes on two sites in eastern Syria, associated with Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps, as a response to recent attacks on U.S. bases and personnel, the Pentagon disclosed. These strikes manifest the Biden administration’s intent to robustly counter suspected Iran-backed entities targeting U.S. interests, aiming to deter further aggression, amidst a cautious approach to prevent escalating tensions in the region potentially exacerbated by Israel’s conflict with Hamas.

2. Map of Syria

3. Pentagon’s Report on Recent Assaults

The Pentagon documented a total of 16 assaults on U.S. bases and personnel since October 17, with 12 occurring in Iraq and 4 in Syria. Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder mentioned that 21 U.S. personnel were injured in two drone attacks targeting al-Asad Airbase in Iraq and al-Tanf Garrison in Syria.

4. Defense Secretary’s Take on Precision Strikes

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin expressed that these “precision self-defense strikes” are a reaction to the continuous, albeit largely unsuccessful, attacks by Iran-backed militias on U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria since October 17. Directed by President Joe Biden, these precise strikes were executed to unequivocally signal that such attacks are intolerable, and the U.S. will defend its personnel and interests. Austin emphasized that this operation is unrelated to Israel’s ongoing conflict with Hamas, and highlighted that while the U.S. is not seeking a broader conflict, it is prepared to take further action if Iran-backed proxy groups persist in their aggression.