US moves aircraft carriers closer to Syria to deter Iranian risk
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – In a step taken to deter any potential threat by Iran, the US Department of Defense revealed on Monday the repositioning of the USS George W — H.W. Bush carrier in the Mediterranean to a closer position to the Syrian coast.
Sabrina Singh, Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary, said in a press briefing, “The USS George W — H.W. Bush carrier was repositioned… we saw increased attacks from IRGC affiliated groups targeting our service members across Syria.”
On March 31, Pentagon spokesman Lt. Col. Phil Ventura revealed that the George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group will remain in the Mediterranean Sea under US European Command, but it will support US forces in the Middle East in the event of contingency plans and operations.
Singh added that “as a precaution” the carrier was repositioned to be closer to the Syrian coast “in response to, of course, what we saw as increasing attacks on our service members in the region.”
On March 23, an Iranian drone attack targeted a base of the US-led Global Coalition in northeast Syria, killing a US contractor and wounding at least ten other troops.
On March 24, the US President Joe Biden, while on a visit to Canada, pledged to “act forcefully” to protect his troops against Iranian-backed attacks.
The US Central Command attacked with “precision airstrikes” against facilities in eastern Syria used by militias affiliated with IRGC, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said.
The Pentagon said on March 30, 12 US troops were wounded and eight militants of Iranian-backed militia were killed in the tit-for-tat attacks between the US and Iran in Syria
Responding to a question that if any new attacks have been carried out against the US bases, she noted, “I’m aware there have been no updates — or no attacks on U.S. forces over the weekend and no further strikes from U.S. forces on IRGC-backed groups.”