U.S. F-15 Jets Bomb Syrian Weapons Facility

The strike against the facility, reportedly located in Deir el-Zour province, was being conducted in response to a series of Iran-backed militants responsible for dozens of drone and rocket attacks against U.S. personnel in Iraq and Syria by IRGC-Quds Force affiliates. It was directed by President Biden to reaffirm the U.S.' commitment to protecting its personnel and interests.

U.S. officials stressed their readiness to take further measures to safeguard American people and facilities while urging against escalation. This was the second counterstrike in the past two weeks.

“The United States is fully prepared to take further necessary measures to protect our people and our facilities. We urge against any escalation. U.S. personnel will continue to conduct counter-ISIS missions in Iraq and Syria,” the Pentagon said in an official release.

In related developments, the U.S. previously conducted airstrikes as part of an effort to engage with Iranian leadership, seeking to halt attacks on American forces by Iran-backed militants. Despite these actions, attacks on U.S. troops continued in the region, with more than 41 attacks recorded since October 17.

Following a strike on weapons and ammunition facilities in eastern Syria on October 26, conducted by U.S. fighter jets, further attacks on U.S. forces occurred. Defense officials acknowledged that these airstrikes did not deter the ongoing attacks.

Secretary of Defense Austin attributed the attacks to the Iranian regime and vowed additional measures to protect U.S. personnel if the aggression persists.

"Iran wants to hide its hand and deny its role in these attacks against our forces. We will not let them. If attacks by Iran's proxies against U.S. forces continue, we will not hesitate to take further necessary measures to protect our people," he said.

The U.S. increased its military presence in the Middle East to dissuade further attacks. Additionally, Houthi militants in Yemen, also backed by Iran, shot down an American MQ-9 Reaper drone during a reconnaissance mission in international airspace earlier on Wednesday.