US warplanes attack two Iranian-backed militia bases in Syria as tensions rage over Israel
US warplanes struck two Iranian-backed militia bases in Syria early this morning in revenge for a spate of drone and missile attacks on American troops.
The Pentagon revealed the escalation amid grave fears that the Israel-Hamas conflict could develop into an all-out war in the Middle East.
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The “precision” airstrikes near Boukamal in eastern Syria were carried out by two F-16 fighter jets, according to a senior US military official. ABC Reports.
They attacked arms and ammunition depots linked to Iranian Revolutionary Guard facilities and recently used to attack US bases.
The attacks are reportedly aimed at hitting back Iran-backed militant groups as much as possible to deter future aggression.
Tensions in the Middle East have been rising since Israel declared war on Hamas after the terrorists unleashed hell in southern Israel in their bloody attacks on October 7 that left about 1,400 Israelis dead.
Earlier this week, U.S. officials reportedly asked Israel to hold off on its expected large-scale ground invasion of Gaza until the U.S. can deliver a dozen advanced air defense systems to the region to protect its troops.
They believe that their bases in the Middle East could be attacked by Hamas and other terrorist groups as soon as Israeli tanks and troops cross the border.
According to the Pentagon, there have been at least 19 attacks on US bases and personnel in Iraq and Syria using drones and missiles since October 17.
So far, one US soldier has been killed and dozens injured.
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said in a statement that “precise self-defense strikes are in response to a series of sustained and mostly unsuccessful attacks on US personnel in Iraq and Syria by Iran-backed militia groups that began on October 17.”
He said President Biden ordered the attacks “to make clear that the United States will not tolerate such attacks and will defend itself, its personnel and its interests.”
The airstrikes would significantly limit the ability of Iranian proxy groups to launch attacks against the U.S. military in the Middle East, officials said.
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