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Pentagon chief confirms airstrikes against Iranian-backed groups in eastern Syria

According to the statement, the strikes were conducted against a training facility and a safe house near the cities of Abu Kamal and Mayadin

© AP Photo/ Carolyn Kaster

WASHINGTON, November 13. /TASS/. US President Joe Biden ordered airstrikes on Sunday against Iranian-backed groups in eastern Syria, according to a written statement by US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin.

"US military forces conducted precision strikes today on facilities in eastern Syria used by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Iran-affiliated groups in response to continued attacks against U.S. personnel in Iraq and Syria. The strikes were conducted against a training facility and a safe house near the cities of Abu Kamal and Mayadin, respectively," the statement said.

According to the statement, "The President has no higher priority than the safety of U.S. personnel, and he directed today's action to make clear that the United States will defend itself, its personnel, and its interests."

Earlier, Biden warned that the US is prepared to launch further strikes if necessary against groups that, according to Washington, are funded by Iran and are responsible for attacks on US forces in the Middle East. According to the Pentagon, US troops in Syria and Iraq have been attacked around 50 times since October 17. On October 26, two US Air Force F-16 aircraft carried out raids on warehouses containing weapons and ammunition belonging to the IRGC, according to the Washington administration. Around 900 US troops are stationed in Syria, with another 2,500 in Iraq.

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