Iran-Backed Terrorists Launch Attacks on US Troops in Syria as Secretary of State Visits Saudi Arabia
Iranian proxy militias have once again targeted US and allied troops in Syria, launching two attacks over the weekend, according to officials. These attacks come as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken visits Saudi Arabia in an effort to de-escalate the Israel-Gaza conflict. The Pentagon has reported that on Saturday, Iranian-backed militias fired two rockets at Syria’s Mission Support Site Euphrates, which houses US and coalition forces. The following day, a Tehran-backed group launched an attack drone at Mission Support Site Green Village, but it missed its target and landed several kilometers away.
Fortunately, no injuries or damage were reported in either attack. However, these incidents mark the latest in a series of more than 165 Iran-backed assaults on US forces in Syria, Iraq, and Jordan since October 17. As of January 29, approximately 80 US personnel have been injured in these attacks. The first and only US troop deaths occurred on January 27 when three American soldiers were killed in an attack on a secret military outpost in Jordan known as “Tower 22.”
In response to these attacks, the US military carried out a retaliatory mission on Friday. US military aircraft, including B-1 bombers, fired over 125 precision-guided munitions in a span of 30 minutes. This mission targeted the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, a group of Tehran-backed militias responsible for the fatal attack on US forces. The strikes also targeted a branch of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps specializing in military intelligence and unconventional warfare.
Despite the retaliatory strikes, Iranian proxy militias continue to launch attacks on US troops. The recent attacks occurred just days after Kataib Hezbollah, one of the Tehran-backed militias, announced that it would cease its attacks on American forces following Washington’s pledge to carry out retaliatory strikes. However, senior White House and Pentagon officials cautioned the public not to take Kataib Hezbollah’s word at face value and emphasized the importance of observing their actions rather than their words.
The US Central Command is currently assessing the success of the retaliatory strikes. Pentagon officials believe that the strikes had a positive effect and destroyed or damaged over 80 targets at the seven facilities targeted. However, despite this optimistic assessment, the continued assaults on US forces raise questions about the effectiveness of the strikes in deterring future attacks.
While Secretary of State Antony Blinken is in Saudi Arabia, he is conveying the Biden administration’s message that it does not seek war with Iran or further escalation in the Middle East conflict. At the Pentagon, officials echo this sentiment, emphasizing that additional US strikes can be expected in defense of American troops. The primary mission of US forces in the region is to fight against ISIS, and they are authorized to defend themselves against any group that attacks them.
The situation in Syria remains tense as Iran-backed militias continue to target US and allied troops. The US military will continue to take appropriate actions to defend its personnel while maintaining its focus on defeating ISIS. The hope is to de-escalate tensions and avoid a full-scale war with Iranian proxy groups in Iraq and Syria.
