US military air strikes in eastern Syria have killed at least 22 pro-Iran fighters before daybreak Friday, a war monitor said.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the fighters were killed when the strikes hit a shipment of weapons belonging to Iraq’s Hashed al-Shaabi force and the Iraqi Hezbollah group.
The strikes were carried out as the shipment from Iraq was entering into Syria through the al-Qaem border crossing in Syria’s eastern province of Deir al-Zour, the watchdog group said, adding that the death toll is likely to rise considering the number of critically wounded fighters.
Syrian state media reported the attack but have not provided more information so far.
John Kirby, the Pentagon spokesperson, confirmed that the attack took place “at President Biden’s direction” and was authorised to respond to the recent attacks on US forces and also, to send a message to forces who were targeting the US and coalition personnel.
“Specifically, the strikes destroyed multiple facilities located at a border control point used by a number of Iranian-backed militant groups, including Kata’ib Hezbollah and Kata’ib Sayyid al Shuhada,” Kirby said. “The operation sends an unambiguous message; President Biden will act to protect American coalition personnel. At the same time, we have acted in a deliberate manner that aims to de-escalate the overall situation in both Eastern Syria and Iraq.”
The site struck by the US forces is believed to be the location of a smuggling operation conducted by the militia. A US official said that the main aim of the operation was to thwart the militia’s ability to carry out attacks.
The decision, Austin clarified, had been taken by the US president and authorised on Thursday morning after he recommended that action be taken against the militants.
Speaking to the press, Austin said that the US was “confident in the target we went after”, adding that “we know what we hit”.
“We allowed and encouraged the Iraqis to investigate and develop intelligence, and that was very helpful to us in refining the target,” he said.
The Pentagon further clarified that the US president had authorised the attack after consulting allies.
