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Washington, US
US President Joe Biden recently ordered his troops to conduct airstrikes against the Iranian-backed groups in Syria, a week after several rockets landed at a military base in Syria housing the American troops.
Col. Joe Buccino, a representative of Central Command said, "At President Biden's direction, US military forces conducted precision airstrikes in Deir ez-Zor Syria today." "These precision strikes are intended to defend and protect US forces from attacks like the ones on August 15 against US personnel by Iran-backed groups," he added as per CNN reports.
Biden directed these strikes in accordance with his Article II authority to safeguard and defend US personnel by disrupting or deterring attacks by Iran-backed forces.
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Buccino said the US military conducted intensive surveillance on 13 bunkers in the same complex for 400 hours. Since the US wasnât sure if the two bunkers were clear of people, the strike was intended for 11 targets. The strike struck out two more bunkers as a small group of people were nearby, so in total nine bunkers in the complex in eastern Syria were destroyed by the US military strikes. The initial assessment stated that no individual was killed.
Gen. Erik Kurilla, commander of US Central Command, said, "The strike in eastern Syria was in response to attacks by Iran-backed groups against US forces in Syria on August 15th and demonstrates our resolve to defend US forces and equipment," CNN reported.
According to an official, a limited number of coalition personnel, including US service members, were stationed at the base when the assault had taken place.
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From the US-led coalition and the Syrian Democratic Forces, they were able to collect a number of rockets that were not able to take off. Earlier this week, a drone raid near the At-Tanf station in southern Syria saw multiple drones flying.
Local militias supported by Iran have been regularly attacking the US forces in Iran and Syria.
The US maintains nearly 900 troops in Syria, stationed between the At-Tanf base and the countryâs eastern oil regions.
(With inputs from agencies)