Pentagon confirms killing eight pro-Iran militants in Syria
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The Pentagon press secretary said on Thursday that the US air forces killed eight pro-Iran militants in eastern Syria during a recent strike, adding that the attack was aimed at protecting US troops in the country.
A US contractor was killed and six others were injured when a drone strike targeted a Coalition base near northeast Syria's Hasaka city on March 23. The drone was of Iranian origin, according to the Pentagon. In retaliation, American forces launched airstrikes against groups affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) based in eastern Syria.
"We now assess that eight militants were killed in our strikes against two IRGC Quds facilities near Deir ez-Zor by US Air Force F15E Fighters,” said Pentagon Press Secretary Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder during a press briefing.
He added that the “precision strikes” were taken to protect and defend US forces.
The spokesperson also said that the six US personnel wounded are in stable condition.
The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) had reported the airstrike killed 19 people - 16 pro-Iran fighters and three Syrian soldiers.
US Central Command (CENTCOM) said they were prepared for additional attacks by Iran, but Washington was not looking for war.
About a thousand US troops stationed in Syria are part of an international coalition that has fought alongside the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) against ISIS.
Attacks on US forces in Syria are often attributed to Iran-backed militias and factions, but have never been claimed.
A US contractor was killed and six others were injured when a drone strike targeted a Coalition base near northeast Syria's Hasaka city on March 23. The drone was of Iranian origin, according to the Pentagon. In retaliation, American forces launched airstrikes against groups affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) based in eastern Syria.
"We now assess that eight militants were killed in our strikes against two IRGC Quds facilities near Deir ez-Zor by US Air Force F15E Fighters,” said Pentagon Press Secretary Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder during a press briefing.
He added that the “precision strikes” were taken to protect and defend US forces.
The spokesperson also said that the six US personnel wounded are in stable condition.
The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) had reported the airstrike killed 19 people - 16 pro-Iran fighters and three Syrian soldiers.
US Central Command (CENTCOM) said they were prepared for additional attacks by Iran, but Washington was not looking for war.
About a thousand US troops stationed in Syria are part of an international coalition that has fought alongside the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) against ISIS.
Attacks on US forces in Syria are often attributed to Iran-backed militias and factions, but have never been claimed.