After American forces stationed in the area came under rocket fire that injured three troops, the US carried out more retaliatory strikes against Iran-backed fighters in northeast Syria.
The US Central Command said in a statement that US forces struck using AH-64 Apache attack helicopters, AC-130 gunships, and M777 artillery pieces. The statement added that four enemy combatants were killed and seven rocket launchers were destroyed.
In a statement, Central Command Commander Michael Kurilla said, “We will respond appropriately and proportionally to attacks on our servicemembers,” adding, “No group will strike at our troops with impunity. We will take all necessary measures to defend our people.”
The attacks come as US forces stationed at the Conoco outpost and Mission Support Site Green Village came under rocket fire Wednesday. Claiming they killed several Iran-backed militants believed to be responsible for the rocket attacks, the US launched retaliatory strikes using helicopters in the immediate aftermath.
The US launched airstrikes in Syria targeting ammunition depots and logistics supply bunkers used by groups affiliated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps earlier on Wednesday.
The airstrikes were ordered by US President Joe Biden in retaliation for a series of attacks on August 15 at US military facilities in Syria.
With neither side backing down, the US and its enemies in Syria have been trading attacks for the better part of two weeks.
