US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin stated on Monday that American forces carried out what he described as precise strikes on facilities in eastern Syria used by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard and Iran-affiliated groups. Austin explained in a statement that the strikes targeted a training facility and a cache near the cities of Al-Bukamal and Al-Mayadin in eastern Syria. He emphasized that the strikes were in response to ongoing attacks against American personnel in Iraq and Syria, stressing that the aim of the US strikes is to weaken the groups responsible for the attacks on US troops, and that the US will do whatever it takes to protect its forces if the attacks do not cease.
He added, "President Biden has no higher priority than the safety of American personnel, and he directed action today to make clear that the United States will defend itself, its personnel, and its interests."
Following these strikes, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported on Monday hearing loud explosions around the city of Al-Mayadin in the Deir ez-Zor countryside in eastern Syria, noting the fall of rockets at an American base. The observatory indicated that the explosions were heard as fires continued to flare up in the area, with rockets landing at the Al-Omar oil field base, which is considered the largest American base in Syria.
There have been no reports of human losses so far. The observatory noted that one member of Iran-aligned militias was killed and three others were injured in the initial tally of the US airstrikes on Al-Mayadin and Al-Bukamal in Deir ez-Zor, stating that the number is likely to rise due to critical conditions and missing persons.
Armed factions had recently issued several statements announcing their targeting of American bases in the region in response to the ongoing Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip since October 7. The factions state that the Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip are taking place with direct American support.
