The United States conducted airstrikes in Syria targeting facilities used by Iran-backed militia groups early Friday morning. The strikes come after a series of attacks by Iran-backed militias against US forces in Iraq. Just yesterday, militia groups fired rockets at a base in western Iraq that houses American troops.
The US strikes targeted ammunition depots, weapon storage facilities, and command centers used by Kataib Hezbollah and Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada in the eastern Syrian town of Abu Kamal near the Iraq border. Kataib Hezbollah is an Iraqi Shiite paramilitary group with close links to Iran's Revolutionary Guards Corps.
A US defense official said the strikes were carried out by US fighter jets and targeted nine facilities. The official said preliminary assessments indicate casualties among the Iran-backed militias but specifics are still unclear.
Shortly after the strikes, the Pentagon released a statement saying "The United States took necessary, appropriate, and deliberate action designed to limit the risk of escalation, but also to send a clear and unambiguous deterrent message." The statement went on to say the US does not seek conflict, but that the strikes were meant to deter Iran and Iran-backed militias from conducting or supporting further attacks against US personnel or facilities.
The latest strikes come as tensions remain high between the US and Iran. Just last month, the US Treasury Department imposed sanctions on Iran’s Revolutionary Guards drone program after attacks on US allies in the Middle East.
The back and forth attacks between the US and Iran-backed militias have some analysts concerned the situation could escalate into a broader conflict. But so far both sides appear intent on avoiding a larger confrontation.
There are indications the US is rapidly moving assets and troops to the Middle East region around Iraq, Israel and Syria in response to growing tensions with Iran and its proxies. Israel's operations in Gaza also appear to be escalating.
Light activity of US Air Force refueling tankers, especially over Europe and the Ukraine region. More tankers are operating near the US-Mexico border and Texas.
C-17 transport planes are flying frequently between US east coast ports and the Middle East region, suggesting a rapid deployment of equipment/assets to the Middle East.
A US asset (likely troops) deployed from Kuwait into Iraq. A Kuwaiti Air Force plane also flew into Iraq.
The US conducted strikes on Iranian-linked targets in Syria in response to attacks on US bases in Iraq. The strikes were on bases associated with Iranian proxies, not inside Iran.
Israel carried out strikes in Gaza and there are signs a ground offensive may be starting. This could trigger reactions from Iran and its proxies like Hezbollah.
The US has sent an extra aircraft carrier group to the Mediterranean near Israel/Syria and has forces stationed in the Persian Gulf and Red Sea areas.
C-130 activity is focused around Cyprus and Israel, with transport planes staging equipment, likely for US forces.
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