U.S. carries out airstrikes in eastern Syria targeting Iran-backed groups’ weapon storage facility

Two U.S. F-15 fighter jets conducted an airstrike on a weapons storage facility in eastern Syria used by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and affiliated groups, the Pentagon announced Wednesday.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin stated in a statement that the precision airstrikes were launched in response to the attacks made against U.S. personnel in Iraq and Syria by IRGC-Quds Force affiliates. He added “The President has no higher priority than the safety of U.S. personnel, and he directed today’s action to make clear that the United States will defend itself, its personnel, and its interests.”

The statement also mentioned that the United States will not hold back from taking any necessary measures to protect their people and facilities.

On Wednesday, a senior military official said that a facility, located in Maysalun, Syria, is believed to have housed weapons used in “many of the airstrikes that have taken place against our forces here in the region.”

The official asserted that the strikes launched on Wednesday “did not involve any civilian” casualties.