The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) conducted an air strike on Thursday against a facility in Syria used by Iran’s security forces, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), and affiliated groups, marking an escalation in ongoing regional hostilities. The strike was announced by CENTCOM as a direct response to recent attacks on US troops stationed in Syria and Iraq, with the military affirming a commitment to defend its personnel.
The air strike, confirmed by CENTCOM, follows a string of aggressive acts that have seen US bases in Syria and Iraq targeted by drone and rocket attacks since the onset of the Israel-Hamas war on 7 October. Brigadier General Patrick Ryder, a Pentagon spokesperson, highlighted on 6 November that these attacks have injured 46 US troops since 17 October.
CENTCOM’s statement underscored a resolve to “take all necessary measures to defend our people” and retaliate “at a time and place of our choosing”, reflecting a robust posture in the face of the escalating aggression.
The Iranian-backed Islamic Resistance in Iraq claimed responsibility for an assault on the US base in Erbil (Hewlêr), Kurdistan Region of Iraq, on Wednesday, employing drones in a direct attack. This uptick in militia activity also saw the Houthi movement in Yemen downing a US MQ-9 drone, as reported by a US defence official to CNN.
Meanwhile, on the Syrian front, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in Deir ez-Zor (Dayr az-Zawr) faced mortar and artillery attacks from forces affiliated with the Syrian government and Iran-backed militias. This assault not only injured civilians but also killed a child, as per the SDF’s statement on 6 November.