US strikes Iran-linked targets in Syria

Photo: CENTCOM chief Gen. Michael Kurilla

US Central Command (CENTCOM) forces on Monday, November 11, struck nine Iranian-linked targets in Syria in response to several attacks on American personnel in the country over the previous 24 hours.

The strikes are intended to prevent groups from planning and executing future attacks against U.S. and coalition forces operating in Syria as part of the mission to combat the Islamic State, the command said in a statement Friday, November 8, Voice of America reported.

Commenting on the strikes, CENTCOM Commander General Michael Kurilla stressed the U.S. commitment to respond to such incidents.

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“Our message is clear: We will not tolerate attacks against the United States and coalition partners in the region,” he said. “We will continue to take all necessary measures to protect our personnel and coalition partners and respond to reckless attacks.”

The new strikes are part of a broader U.S. effort to stabilize the region by disrupting the Islamic State and its affiliates. Since late August, U.S. forces have conducted 95 operations against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, killing 163 militants and capturing 33, including more than 30 senior and mid-level commanders, CENTCOM said in a statement.

The command said the operations have degraded the Islamic State's capabilities and limited its ability to plan and carry out attacks.

There are 900 U.S. troops in Syria. Like another 2,500 U.S. troops in neighboring Iraq, they are advising and assisting local forces trying to prevent a resurgence of the group that seized large swathes of both countries in 2014 but was later defeated.

By Sergey Daga