Early Thursday morning, the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) released footage of the U.S. airstrikes against Iran-linked militants in Dier Ez Zor, Syria on late Tuesday night. The video was released after U.S. troops were hurt in a rocket attack on Wednesday.
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The video CENTCOM released shows infrared footage as multiple munitions hit a single area in rapid succession.
The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced the strikes in a statement provided to American Military News on Tuesday night.
“At President Biden’s direction, U.S. military forces conducted precision airstrikes in Deir ez-Zor Syria today,” CENTCOM spokesperson Col. Joe Buccino said. “These precision strikes are intended to defend and protect U.S. forces from attacks like the ones on August 15 against U.S. personnel by Iran-backed groups. The U.S. strikes targeted infrastructure facilities used by groups affiliated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.”
Buccino’s statement refers to attacks on U.S. bases in Syria, including Al-Tanf Garrison and Green Village. Both U.S.-controlled bases came under rocket fire on Aug. 15, though the U.S. forces suffered no casualties and neither U.S. base appeared to suffer any damage as a result of the inaccurate rocket fire.
The CENTCOM statement did not specify the exact targets of the airstrikes, but Reuters national security correspondent Idrees Ali tweeted, “The U.S. military strike in Syria yesterday hit 9 targets and used 8 manned fighter jets, a U.S. official says.”
“Specifically, 4 F-16s and 4 F-15s were used and 9 GBU’s were dropped,” Ali added.
“Today’s strikes were necessary to protect and defend U.S. personnel,” Buccino said. “The United States took proportionate, deliberate action intended to limit the risk of escalation and minimize the risk of casualties. The President gave the direction for these strikes pursuant to his Article II authority to protect and defend U.S. personnel by disrupting or deterring attacks by Iran-backed groups.”
On Wednesday, after the U.S. airstrikes, militants in Syria fired more rockets at Green Village and another U.S.-controlled outpost, Mission Support Site Conoco. CENTCOM said several rockets landed within the perimeter of Mission Support Site Conoco and one U.S. service member there was treated for a minor injury and has been returned to duty while two others are under evaluation for minor injuries.”
U.S. Apache attack helicopters responded by carrying out strikes against the suspected Iran-linked militants who fired the rockets.
On Thursday, CENTCOM confirmed it had used AH-64 Apache attack helicopters, AC-130 gunships, and M777 artillery in multiple strikes since Wednesday against Iran-linked militants responsible for the rocket attacks. The attack killed four of the militants and destroyed seven rocket launchers.
“We will respond appropriately and proportionally to attacks on our
servicemembers,” said Michael “Erik” Kurilla, commander of US
Central Command. “No group will strike at our troops with impunity.
We will take all necessary measures to defend our people.”
