Pentagon Strikes Targets in Syria After American Service Members Killed

The U.S. armed forces launched a series of airstrikes on targets in Syria on Thursday, which, according to Washington, may be linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), elite units of Iran's armed forces. The information was reported by the Pentagon's press service.

The attack came after a drone strike on March 23 in northeastern Syria, which resulted in the death of one American contractor and five soldiers at a base operated by the U.S.-led international anti-terror coalition. According to the U.S. intelligence community, the drone was Iranian.

“At the direction of President Joe Biden, I have authorized U.S. Central Command forces to carry out precise airstrikes tonight on facilities utilized by groups associated with the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in eastern Syria,” said Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.

He added that the airstrikes were conducted in response to today’s attack by groups affiliated with the IRGC, as well as recent assaults on coalition forces in Syria. According to the Pentagon, “the precise strikes were aimed at protecting American service members.”

“The United States has taken measured and deliberate actions to limit the risk of escalation and minimize casualties,” the Defense Department stated.