Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III Statement on U.S. Military Strike in Eastern Syria
Nov. 8, 2023
Today, at President Biden's direction, U.S. military forces conducted a self-defense strike on a facility in eastern Syria used by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and affiliated groups. This strike was conducted by two U.S. F-15s against a weapons storage facility. This precision self-defense strike is a response to a series of attacks against U.S. personnel in Iraq and Syria by IRGC-Quds Force affiliates. 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.
The United States is fully prepared to take further necessary measures to protect our people and our facilities. We urge against any escalation. U.S. personnel will continue to conduct counter-ISIS missions in Iraq and Syria.
https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3584458/secretary-of-defense-lloyd-j-austin-iii-statement-on-us-military-strike-in-east/