In a direct response to a surge of attacks on US forces in Syria, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that it had launched airstrikes on nine sites affiliated with Iranian-backed militias. The targeted facilities included weapons storage sites and logistics hubs used by forces loyal to Iran.
The strikes carried out in two locations, aimed to reduce the militias’ capacity to conduct future attacks on US and coalition forces in the region. General Michael Erik Kurilla, commander of CENTCOM, emphasized that any aggression against US forces would meet a strong response. “Our message is clear: Attacks against US forces and our coalition partners in the region will not be tolerated,” he said. “We will take all necessary steps to protect our personnel and coalition partners.”
The airstrikes follow a string of attacks by Iranian-backed militias on US installations in Syria, including a rocket attack on a base in Shaddadi. Although the rocket fire did not result in injuries or significant damage, the US noted that a firm response was essential to counter ongoing threats to its personnel and partners.
According to local sources, American aircraft targeted multiple sites linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and affiliated militias in the eastern Syrian cities of Al-Mayadeen and Al-Bukamal in Deir Ezzor Province.
In Al-Mayadeen, airstrikes reportedly killed four Iranian militia members. The casualties included Hussein Ali Hassan Al-Salou, Mustafa Dhaham Al-Arab, Maher Afif Al-Saad, and Ahmed Abdullah Al-Hamadi, all affiliated with IRGC-linked groups.
On Tuesday, another airstrike in Al-Bukamal killed five more Iranian militia members at a location known locally as the “machine gun square” in the Al-Jamaiyat area. These latest actions are part of a larger campaign to curb the influence of Iranian-backed forces in Syria and to safeguard US and coalition forces from escalating militia attacks.
This latest military response is evidence of the heightened tensions between the US and Iranian-aligned forces operating in Syria, where Iranian-backed militias have strengthened their presence in recent years. The IRGC’s local proxies are believed to operate extensive logistical and weapons networks in Syria, particularly in the Deir Ezzor province, where they frequently use sites like Al-Mayadeen and Al-Bukamal as operational hubs.
The US-led coalition’s recent raids come amid broader regional instability. Over the past few months, Iranian-backed militias have increased their rocket and drone attacks on US bases, often in response to US actions aimed at restricting their movement and supply lines. The escalation has sparked concerns over a potential widening of hostilities in Syria, where US and Iranian interests often collide.
