U.S. strikes destroy Iran-backed targets in Syria, Iraq – Pentagon
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – The U.S. Department of Defense said on Monday airstrikes against militias backed by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in Syria and Iraq had “good effects.”
Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said at a news conference, “Although we continue to evaluate, we currently assess that we had good effects.”
On Feb. 2, U.S. forces launched airstrikes on seven facilities of Iranian-backed militias in Syria and Iraq in response to a drone attack on Tower 22 base in northeast Jordan on Jan. 28. The attack resulted in the killing of three American soldiers and the injury of 40 others.
“The strikes destroyed or functionally damaged more than 80 targets at the seven facilities,” Ryder said, adding, “The number of casualties is still being assessed.”
On the other hand, North Press obtained the names of sixteen individuals, all of whom are Iranian-backed militants killed in the airstrikes in Deir ez-Zor, eastern Syria.
Ryder stressed this is the beginning of the U.S. response. He said, “There will be additional actions taken to hold the IRGC and affiliated militias accountable for their attacks on U.S. and coalition forces.”
“Attacks on American forces will not be tolerated, and we will continue to take all necessary actions to defend the United States,” he warned.