US Military Carries Out Precision Airstrikes in Syria, Rockets Fired At US Base

CENTCOM: 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, and targeted infrastructure facilities used by groups affiliated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Photo By TSGT Michael Ammons, USAF | Public Domain

By Donald Standeford, SJ Founder/Publisher
August 24, 2022 12:00 pm UTC
Modified: August 24, 2022 12:00 pm

SYRIA - The United States military has carried out airstrikes in Deir ez-Zor, Syria today intended to "defend and protect U.S. forces from attacks like the ones on August 15th against U.S. personnel by Iran-backed groups". After the statement, multiple rockets have reportedly been fired at a U.S. base in the Conoco oil field.

Sources have reported that multiple rockets have been fired at a US base in Conoco, located in east Deir Ezzor, Syria. At least two rockets fell in the vicinity of Green Village, and two rockets hit the inside perimeter of the U.S. base in Conoco.

There have also been reports that the U.S. Military responded with airstrikes on Iranian-linked targets in eastern Syria. UAE Journalist Khaled Askif has posted photos he reports are of US forces targeting vehicles 'containing a missile platform' that had been targeting Konico.

US forces reportedly targeting vehicles 'containing a missile platform' targeting Konico | Image: UAE Journalist Khaled Askif

US forces reportedly targeting vehicles 'containing a missile platform' targeting Konico | Image: UAE Journalist Khaled Askif

This, after the Biden Administration carried out airstrikes around al Tanf against facilities "used by groups affiliated with Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps".

Statement by U.S. Central Command

A statement released by U.S. Central Command earlier said, "At President Biden’s direction, U.S. military forces conducted precision airstrikes in Deir ez-Zor Syria today. 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".

“Today’s strikes were necessary to protect and defend U.S. personnel. 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. “The United States does not seek conflict, but will continue to take necessary measures to protect and defend our people.

“U.S. forces remain in Syria to ensure the enduring defeat of ISIS.” -Colonel Joe Buccino, USCENTCOM Communication Director.*

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and a local monitoring group Deir Ezzor 24 said that the airstrikes struck the Ayash Camp currently led by the Fatimiyoun Brigade which consists of Shiite militants from Afghanistan. Deir Ezzor 24 had reported that there were 10 deaths resulting from the U.S. airstrikes in Deir ez-Zor.

Deir Ez-Zor is a province bordering Iraq containing strategic oil fields, occupied by both the Syrian military and Iranian backed militias, often making it a target by Israeli forces.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani put out a statement after the U.S. strikes condemning the actions, saying that they were "against the people and infrastructure of Syria" and denied that Iran had any links to the militants targeted by the airstrikes.

Deir Ezzor 24 CEO Omar Abu Layla spoke to the Associated Press about the airstrike and said, "The Ayash warehouse is a very important one for Iran’s militias. We expect that Iran will respond, either in al-Tanf or possibly in Iraq."

Pentagon Aware Of Reports Of A New Exchange Of Fire In Syria

Senior Pentagon official Colin Kahl, under secretary of defense for policy says that Washington is currently aware of reports of a "new exchange of fire" in Syria.

Kahl said that "we'll tell you more when we know more," and added "I will say, as a general matter, we're not going to hesitate to defend ourselves. And we've communicated this in both in the actions that we took last night the nature of those actions, and also what we have communicated to the Iranians."

"We're not going to tolerate attacks by Iran-backed forces on our forces anywhere in the world."

Reuters has reported that U.S. officials told them an 'unknown' number of Iranian-aligned militants had been killed in the strikes that the United States carried out a day before on targets within Syria, but did not say whether there were any American casualties inflicted.

Kahl said that the strike by the United States was "proportionate and precise" and was in response to an August 15th attack on a facility used by US-backed Syrian opposition fighters.

Kahl said, "The strike was necessary to protect and defend US personnel in Syria, which had been the target of several recent attacks by Iran."

He added, "This operation is a demonstration the United States will not hesitate to defend itself against Iranian and Iran-backed aggression when it occurs."

Kahl also said that the U.S. airstrike on Tuesday hit nine out of eleven bunkers that had been used by Iranian backed militants.

Centcom: Forces Respond To Attempted Coordinated Rocket Attacks At Conoco

"U.S. forces responded today to rocket attacks at two sites in Syria, destroying three vehicles and equipment used to launch some of the rockets. Initial assessments indicate that two or three suspected Iran-backed militants conducting one of the attacks were killed during the U.S. response.

The attacks began at approximately 7:20 p.m. local time in Syria when several rockets landed inside the perimeter of Mission Support Site Conoco in northeast Syria. Shortly after, additional rockets landed in the vicinity of Mission Support Site Green Village.

One U.S. service member in Mission Support Site Conoco was treated for a minor injury and has been returned to duty. Two others are under evaluation for minor injuries.

"We are closely monitoring the situation," said Gen. Michael "Erik" Kurilla, commander of CENTCOM. "We have a total spectrum of capability to mitigate threats across the region, and we have every confidence in our ability to protect our troops and Coalition partners from attacks."

U.S. forces used attack helicopters to respond. The response was proportional and deliberate. The United States does not seek conflict with Iran, but we will continue to take the measures necessary to protect and defend our people.

Additional details will be released when they become available."