US forces conducted airstrikes against Iranian-linked militant groups in Syria on November 13, 2024, following a rocket attack on US personnel at the al-Shaddadi base. The strikes targeted a weapons storage facility and a logistics command post, according to US Central Command (CENTCOM). No damage or casualties were reported among US or partner forces during the incident.
This recent military action comes in the wake of escalating tensions in the region, particularly after Israel's military operations in Gaza, which have led to increased attacks on US forces by pro-Iranian groups in both Iraq and Syria. The US military has been actively responding to these threats, having previously struck nine Iranian-linked targets in Syria just a day before the latest strikes, resulting in the deaths of four members of pro-Iranian factions.
The US maintains approximately 900 troops in Syria and around 2,500 in Iraq as part of an international coalition formed in 2014 to combat the Islamic State group. The ongoing conflict and the US's involvement continue to draw attention amid the broader geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
