US reports strikes on targets in Syria in response to attack on American base
American forces were attacked in Syria and launched retaliatory strikes (Illustrative photo: flickr.com/29thinfantrydivision)
The US Army carried out strikes on military equipment of unspecified armed groups in eastern Syria. The attack was conducted in self-defense following an assault on the American base in the country, reports the US Central Command (CENTCOM).
The US military reported that on the night of December 4, forces successfully destroyed several weapon systems near the MSS Euphrates military outpost.
According to the statement, three multiple rocket launchers mounted on trucks, a T-64 tank, an armored personnel carrier, and mortars were destroyed.
The military equipment posed a clear and imminent threat to US and coalition forces, CENTCOM added.
The US strikes were a response to fire from the multiple rocket launchers, armored personnel carriers, and mortars directed at the US base.
The US military did not specify who fired at American forces in western Syria on December 3. However, it was emphasized that the incident is unrelated to the ongoing offensive by insurgents against forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad in the Aleppo and Idlib provinces.
CENTCOM stressed that the US mission in Syria remains unchanged, as US and coalition forces continue to focus on the final defeat of ISIS.
"The ongoing support of regional partners and operations in Syria are unrelated to recent events in northwest Syria. CENTCOM forces continue to monitor the situation and remain in constant communication with our other forces in the region as the situation develops," the US military statement said.
General Major Pat Ryder, a spokesperson for the US Department of Defense, stated during a briefing that the Pentagon is currently investigating who was responsible for the attack on the US base in Syria. He also noted that pro-Iranian militants have often been behind attacks on US forces in the region.
In July, US military forces in northeastern Syria were attacked by a drone. The attack resulted in several US and coalition service members being injured.
Additionally, in January, a drone attack targeted US forces on the Jordan-Syria border, leading to fatalities.
