The U.S. military said late Tuesday its forces carried out airstrikes in eastern Syria targeting “infrastructure facilities used by groups affiliated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.”

A statement from U.S. Central Command Communication Director Colonel Joe Buccino said President Joe Biden approved the strikes in Deir el-Zour, and that the actions were intended to defend against attacks by Iran-backed groups against U.S. personnel.

“Today’s strikes were necessary to protect and defend U.S. personnel. The United States took proportionate, deliberate action intended to limit the risk of escalation and minimize the risk of casualties,” Buccino said.

The statement cited an August 15 attack in eastern Syria, which the U.S. said involved a drone hitting a compound run by U.S. troops and U.S.-backed Syrian opposition fighters.

Source: Voice Of America