The US military strikes in Syria are aimed at destroying weaponry and deterring Iranian-backed groups from targeting American personnel in the region in the wake of the Israel-Hamas conflict, the White House said on Thursday.
The United States carried out strikes on Wednesday against a weapon storage facility in eastern Syria that the Pentagon said was used by Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and affiliated groups.
"We know that it had a practical impact on their ability to arm these groups, but also to send a strong signal of deterrence," White House spokesman John Kirby said on CNN.
"These groups have a choice to make: If they want to continue to attack our troops in Iraq and Syria, then they're gonna have to face the consequences for that."
US and coalition troops have been attacked at least 40 times in Iraq and Syria by Iran-backed forces since the start of October, as tensions soar over Israel's bombardment of Gaza in retaliation for Hamas militants' Oct. 7 attack. Forty-five US troops have suffered traumatic brain injuries or minor wounds, Reuters reported.
