UPDATED – US conducts airstrikes on IRGC facility in Syria’s Deir ez-Zor
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – The US bombed on Wednesday posts and weapon warehouses used by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in the city of Deir ez-Zor, eastern Syria.
A military source within the Syrian government forces told North Press that US fighter jets launched airstrikes on an ammunition and weapons warehouse belonging to the IRGC near the Bor Saeed Street in the al-Ummal neighborhood in the city center of Deir ez-Zor. They also targeted a weapons storage house on the outskirts of the town of Harabesh adjacent to the city.
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said in a statement, “U.S. military forces conducted a self-defense strike on a facility in eastern Syria used by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and affiliated groups.”
The airstrikes came in response to the increasing recent attacks on US bases in Syria and Iraq.
The source added that the US aircrafts also launched an airstrike on the Officers Building in the city where the IRGC used as a headquarters.
The aircrafts also targeted two guard posts of the Iranian-backed Liwa al-Quds militia near the Automated Bakery in Deir ez-Zor and an IRGC military vehicle as it left its post in Bor Saeed neighborhood, the source added.
The airstrikes resulted in the killing of over eight individuals, whereas the number of the wounded is not confirmed yet, in addition to significant material damages, according to the source.
The Washington Post reported citing US officials that targeted sites were known to be used by the IRGC and had been under observation for a while.
A senior Pentagon official also noted that the strike aimed at “disrupting and degrading the capabilities of groups directly responsible for attacking U.S. forces in the region” by conducting precision strikes against sites linked to the IRGC.