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US strikes on pro-Iranian groups in eastern Syria result in deaths of 6 people — TV

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin earlier confirmed that US President Joe Biden ordered airstrikes on Sunday against Iranian-backed groups in eastern Syria

© AP Photo/ Emrah Gurel

NEW YORK, November 13. /TASS/. At least six people have been killed in US airstrikes against Iranian-backed groups in eastern Syria, Fox News reported citing a senior representative of the United States Department of Defense.

According to the representative, at least six fighters of Iranian forces were killed as a result of US attacks on Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) bases in the Middle East.

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin earlier confirmed that US President Joe Biden ordered airstrikes on Sunday against Iranian-backed groups in eastern Syria. "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 him, "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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Here are the key statements, made during the meeting

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Russia entitled to use weapons against military sites of states attacking it — Duma

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Russia not obliged to notify anyone about launch of intermediate-range missile — Kremlin

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