TEHRAN: Pro-Iranian forces in Syria have said they have a “long arm” to respond to the United States (US) air strikes on their positions after tit-for-tat missile and also drone attacks in Syria over the last 24 hours.
The online statement released and signed by the Iranian Advisory Committee in Syria, said that United States air strikes had left several of their fighters dead and injured without specifying their nationality.
The statement said that “We have the capability to respond if our centres and forces in Syria are targeted,”
On Friday n
ight, two Syrian activist groups of opposition reported a new wave of United States air attacks on eastern Syria, which targeted positions of Iran-backed guards, after rockets were fired at bases in Syria housing United States troops. Several United States officials denied that attacks were launched late on Friday.
US officials’ stance
The US officials said two simultaneous attacks were launched against US armed forces in Syria on Friday. Officials said, based on preliminary information, one US service member was injured in a rocket attack at the Conoco plant but was in stable condition. Simultaneously, many drones were launched at Green Village, where United States troops are based.
All but one of the drones were shot down, and there were no US injuries there, the officials said speaking to the Associated Press news agency on condition of anonymity.
US President
United States President Joe Biden said the United States would respond “forcefully” to save its personnel after, earlier in the day, it hit Syrian sites used by groups affiliated with Iranian Guard. The United States air strikes were launched after an attack on Thursday by a suspected Iranian-made drone killed one US contractor, wounded another, and injured five US troops at their base in northeast Syria.
“The United States doesn’t, doesn’t seek conflict with Iran,” Biden said in Ottawa, Canada, where he is on a state visit. But he said the United States was prepared “to act forcefully to protect our citizens. That’s exactly what happened last night”.
Charles Lister, director of Syria and Countering Terrorism and Extremism programmes at the Middle East Institute, a think-tank based in Washington, tweeted that Iranian-backed groups had launched “near-coordinated attacks on United States positions in eastern Syria” on Friday, which had wounded a United States service member.
He wrote, “The attacks involved Grad rockets and suicide drones. Iran showing it’s true colours and US deterrence not up to scratch, so far,”
Update — #Iran-backed militias did indeed launch near-coordinated attacks on U.S. positions in eastern #Syria tonight, wounding 1 U.S. serviceman.
The attacks involved Grad rockets & suicide drones. #Iran showing it’s true colors & U.S. deterrence not up to scratch, so far.
— Charles Lister (@Charles_Lister) March 25, 2023
