November 13, 2024: The United States military has launched airstrikes against multiple targets in Syria, citing recent attacks on US forces by groups aligned with Iran. The strikes, confirmed by the US Central Command (CENTCOM), were described as a direct response to these "reckless" assaults, which occurred over the past 24 hours.

In a statement issued early Tuesday, General Michael Erik Kurilla, commander of CENTCOM, emphasized that the US military's actions sent a "clear" message to Iranian-backed militias operating in the region. He stressed that any attacks against US personnel or coalition partners would not be tolerated.

“These strikes will degrade the Iranian-backed groups’ ability to plan and launch future attacks,” Kurilla said, adding that the operation targeted nine locations in two distinct regions of Syria. CENTCOM did not report any US casualties from the recent attacks or the subsequent airstrikes.

The US has around 900 troops stationed in eastern Syria and an additional 2,500 in neighboring Iraq. Their primary mission is to assist local forces in countering remnants of ISIS (Islamic State), which once controlled large areas of both countries but has since been largely defeated through sustained military efforts.

The strikes come amid rising tensions in the region, where Iranian-backed militias have been increasingly active. These groups, including various Shia militia factions, have long been a source of friction between the US and Iran, and the US has previously targeted them in response to attacks on American personnel.

CENTCOM's statement underlined that the US remains committed to its mission in Syria and will continue to defend its personnel against any threats, while also aiming to prevent the resurgence of ISIS in the region.