The U.S. military conducted strikes against nine targets associated with Iranian-backed groups at two locations in Syria Monday, responding to attacks on American personnel in the previous 24 hours.
“These strikes will degrade the Iranian backed groups’ ability to plan and launch future attacks on U.S. and coalition forces,” the military said in a statement. The operation follows a broader February campaign that hit more than 85 targets linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and affiliated militias across Iraq and Syria.
The United States maintains 900 troops in Syria and 2,500 in Iraq, advising local forces to prevent a resurgence of Islamic State, which seized significant territory in both countries in 2014 before its defeat. Since the Israel-Hamas war began October 7, 2023, the U.S. has bolstered its regional presence with warships and fighter aircraft to deter Iran and allied groups from expanding the conflict.
American forces have also assisted in intercepting Iranian projectiles aimed at Israel this year, highlighting the military’s broader role in regional security beyond its counter-ISIS mission.
