“Today, on the orders of President Biden, US military forces conducted a self-defense strike against a facility in eastern Syria used by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and affiliated groups,” he said in a statement Wednesday, US time.
He adds that the attack was carried out by two F-15 fighter jets. It is the second time in two weeks that the US military has attacked targets in Syria it says have links to Iran-backed groups.
Alleged increase in attacks since war began
Washington blames these groups for an increase in attacks on US forces in the Middle East since the war between Israel and Hamas began.
“The President places no higher priority than the safety of American personnel, and he ordered today’s action to make clear that the United States will defend itself, its personnel, and its interests,” Austin’s statement continued.
About 2,500 US troops are stationed in Iraq and about 900 in Syria, as part of efforts to prevent IS from regaining control in the region.