US fighter jets early today struck two Iran-backed militia bases in Syria in revenge for a spate of drone and missile attacks on American troops.
The Pentagon revealed the escalation amid intense fears the Israel-Hamas conflict could spiral into an all-out war across the Middle East.
The US F-16s struck hostile Iran-backed groups inside Syria
According to a senior US military officials, the “precision” air strikes were carried out near Boukamal in eastern Syria by two F-16 fighter jets.
They struck weapons and ammunition depots that were connected to the Iran‘s Revolutionary Guard Crops and have been recently used to strike US bases.
The strikes are reportedly intended to hit back at Iranian-backed militant groups as strongly as possible to deter future aggression.
Tensions in the Middle East have soared since Israel declared war on Hamas after the terrorists unleashed hell on southern Israel during their bloody October 7 attacks that left some 1,400 Israelis dead.
Earlier this week, US officials reportedly told Israel to hold off on their expected full-scale ground invasion into Gaza until the US can deliver a dozen advanced air defence systems to the region to protect their troops.
They believe their bases in the Middle East could be targeted by Hamas and other terror groups once Israel tanks and troops move across the border.
Since October 17, there have been at least 19 attacks on US bases and personnel in Iraq and Syria using drones and missiles, according to the Pentagon.
So far, one US soldier has been killed and dozens injured.
US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said in a statement that “precision self-defence strikes are a response to a series of ongoing and mostly unsuccessful attacks against US personnel in Iraq and Syria by Iranian-backed militia groups that began on October 17.”
He said that President Biden directed the strikes “to make clear that the United States will not tolerate such attacks and will defend itself, its personnel, and its interests.”
The aerial strikes will significantly reduce the ability of Iranian proxy groups to launch attacks against the US military in the Middle East, officials said.
When asked what groups were targeted, the official said there are several – all proxies funded. armed and directed by Tehran.
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ReutersIsrael has been pounding the Gaza Strip relentlessly for weeks[/caption]
ReutersScenes of devastation in Gaza following an Israeli air strike[/caption]