US F-16 Attack Destroys Iranian-Backed Militia-Group Targets in Syria

By Kris Osborn,  President, Center for Military Modernization

The Pentagon has destroyed Iranian-backed militia weapons and ammunition storage facilities in Syria with precision-munitions from an F-16 …in response to unprovoked attacks on US personnel in the region, DoD officials confirmed.

“At President Biden’s direction, U.S. military forces conducted discrete precision strikes against two facilities near Abu Kamal, Syria, this evening. These strikes are a direct response to a series of ongoing attacks on U.S. personnel in Iraq and Syria that began on October 17th,” a Senior Pentagon official confirmed to reporters Oct. 27.

The Pentagon said the Iranian-backed militia group attacks killed one US citizen and injured 21.

A senior defense official confirmed that the targets were hit successfully and with precision, detailing the targets were known to be operated by “Iranian-aligned militia groups,” “IRGC personnel.” (Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps)

While being clear to say the US intent was “not” to “widen the conflict” but take specific, measured action in response to Iranian-militia-affiliated attacks on US personnel and facilities.

“Iran is the center of gravity for what we’re seeing. Iran, through the IRGC, arms, funds, trains, equips, supports and directs a variety of militia groups across the region..We do not seek to widen the conflict, nor escalate it. That would be a decision made in Tehran and how it directs its Iran militia groups,” the senior DoD official said. “Iran is the center of gravity for what we’re seeing. Iran, through the IRGC, arms, funds, trains, equips, supports and directs a variety of militia groups across the region.”