Defense Secretary Austin refers to US attack on Syria // Photo: Reuters
“I’m sure of the goal we chose, we know what we hit,” U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin told the American media. “We are confident that we will be used for the purpose by the Shiites who carried out the attack,” he added, referring to the February 15 attack on US forces in northern Iraq. The US Secretary of State also added that he was the one who recommended to President Biden that the attack be carried out. This is the first known US military attack in the region since the beginning of President Joe Biden’s term.
The attack came just hours after a phone call between Iranian and Syrian foreign ministers Muhammad Javad Zarif and Faisal al-Maqdad. The two discussed relations between the two countries in various fields, as well as “the various developments in Syria, Iran and around the world.”
Among the sites attacked was also the special border crossing built by the Revolutionary Guards near the border crossing to Gaim near the town of Buchmal in eastern Syria. The crossing was used by pro-Iranian militias to transfer equipment, forces and weapons from Iraqi territory to Syria and according to various reports, was also used by the crossing to the nearby Imam Ali Revolutionary Guards base.
Attack in Syria in early February 2021
The Syrian Center for Human Rights reported that three trucks carrying ammunition were destroyed in the attack. “There were many casualties in the attack, at least 17 fighters were killed, all members of al-Hashad a-Shaabi (an umbrella organization that includes about 40 Shiite militias, PS),” Rami Abdul Rahman told AFP.
Pentagon spokesman John Kindi said the attack was carried out under President Biden, not only in response to previous attacks but with the aim of preventing future attacks on U.S. troops in Iraq and Syria.
The attack was not reported in the media affiliated with the Syrian regime. Several media outlets affiliated with the rebels reported the attack but quoted U.S. officials.