Around 500,000 people have died in the 12 years that the Syrian War has been raging. Since 2015, US Military, including military contractors, have been stationed there. In response to the recent death of an American, the military just launched a missile attack.
A US base in northern Syria was struck by an Iranian drone that committed suicide on March 23. In the attack, another contractor died and five American service members and a contractor were hurt. The State Department has designated Iran’s Revolutionary Guard as an international terrorist group, and the incident was purportedly connected to them.
In retaliation, President Joe Biden approved targeted precision strikes. The top US commander for the Middle East, General Michael Erik Kurilla, issued a warning that if additional strikes are required, they may be ordered.
In a statement, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said, “No group will strike our troops with impunity.”
Another American service member was hurt in two more attacks on Friday. According to Reuters, pro-Iranian militants in the Middle Eastern nation asserted they have a “long arm” and will launch additional attacks if the US military retaliates.
Biden stated that although the US does not wish to engage in hostilities with Iran, it will “act forcefully to protect” Americans. At least eight pro-Iranian militants are said to have been killed in the retaliatory strikes, as he pledged, “We’re not going to stop.”
Only 900 US service soldiers and an undetermined number of contractors are now stationed in Syria. Early in March, a resolution that demanded the withdrawal of all remaining troops from the nation was approved by the House of Representatives.
Nevertheless, the legislation to expel the service men was unsuccessful. The majority of lawmakers believed that staying in the nation was important to safeguard US national security because leaving may encourage ISIS extremists to resurge. The terrorist organization has suffered serious setbacks in recent years.
