U.S. rules out attacks against forces in Syria, Iraq
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin excluded on Wednesday any attacks against U.S. forces in Syrian and Iraq by the Iranian-backed militias.
“I think, quite frankly, I don’t see a return to where we were several months ago, not yet,” Austin said during a press conference in Philippines.
He added that “The safety and protection of our troops is really, really important to me.”
On July 30, the U.S. forces conducted “a defensive airstrike” in Musayib in Babil Governorate, “targeting combatants attempting to launch one-way attack uncrewed aerial systems (OWAUAS).”
A U.S. official stated that the airstrike demonstrated America’s dedication to safeguarding its personnel. The official emphasized that the U.S. has “the inherent right to self-defense and will not hesitate to take appropriate action.”
Meanwhile in Syria, Iranian-backed militias targeted U.S. military bases located in the Conoco gas field in Deir ez-Zor Governorate.
In response, the U.S.-led Global Coalition forces carried out strikes on positions in the vicinity of the city as reported by the Lebanon-based al-Mayadeen news website.
Asked if the recent attacks on U.S. forces were connected to rising tensions between Hezbollah in Lebanon and Israel, Austin said: “I think it’s all connected.”