US strikes Iran-linked sites in Syria amid fears Israel-Hamas war could escalate

Defence secretary says strikes in response to attacks on US troops and warns others against triggering ‘broader regional conflict’

In a significant shift of strategy, the United States has conducted airstrikes on two locations in eastern Syria with direct links to Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). These strikes indicate a newfound willingness in Washington to directly involve its military forces in the Middle East crisis.

The Pentagon has revealed that these strikes targeted a weapons storage facility and an ammunition storage facility utilized by the IRGC and the militias it supports. Notably, this marks the first instance of the US military intervening since the outbreak of hostilities between Hamas and Israel on October 7.

Over the past ten days, US facilities in Iraq and Syria have faced a series of low-level attacks involving drones and rockets. These attacks, attributed to Iran-backed militia groups, have raised concerns about the possibility of the ongoing conflict between Hamas and Israel expanding into a broader regional confrontation.

These recent attacks have resulted in the injury of at least 24 US service members and the tragic death of a civilian contractor. Just on Thursday, three such attacks targeted two US bases in Syria and one in western Iraq.

Experts have highlighted the diminishing patience in Washington and suggested that President Joe Biden's administration is likely to employ force as a deterrent against further attacks, despite the inherent risk of escalation. In response to the mounting threats, Biden has already ordered the deployment of two aircraft carriers to the eastern Mediterranean and sent additional anti-missile units along with hundreds of troops to safeguard US bases and allies in the region.

The retaliatory US strikes were carried out by two F-16 fighter jets around 4:30 am on Friday near Abu Kamal, a Syrian town situated on the border with Iraq. This area hosts a major US base that has been repeatedly targeted by Iran-backed militia groups. It remains unclear whether there were Iranian casualties as a result of these strikes.

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin characterized these actions as "self-defense strikes" and emphasized that President Biden had authorized them to convey a clear message: the United States will not tolerate such attacks and is committed to protecting its personnel and interests.

US officials have clarified that these strikes were not coordinated with Israel, and Austin stressed that the operation was distinct from Israel's conflict with Hamas. He further urged all state and non-state actors to refrain from actions that could escalate into a wider regional conflict.

A week ago, a US warship intercepted missiles fired by Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen, raising concerns about potential threats to Israel.

The recent attacks on US targets have been claimed by groups either directly controlled by Tehran or ideologically aligned with other entities involved in the Israel conflict. On Thursday, a US base at Kharab al-Jir in Syria was attacked for the second time in two days, and a base in western Iraq also came under fire.

Iran's Foreign Minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, warned at the United Nations that if Israel's offensive against Hamas persisted, the US would not be immune from the ongoing hostilities.

Experts, including Charles Lister from the Middle East Institute, highlighted that these attacks reveal Iran's extensive network of well-armed and coordinated proxies across the region. They are testing boundaries while compelling the US to respond.

The United States finds itself in a delicate position. It seeks to deter future aggression by targeting Iranian-backed groups suspected of targeting US interests while avoiding actions that could provoke a wider conflict in the region.

One group based in Iraq, believed to be a front for Kata'ib Hezbollah, recently issued threats against US military bases in the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait. Militias under Iranian control have been deployed near the Golan Heights, further heightening tensions.

Notably, top officials from three major Islamist extremist groups engaged in hostilities with Israel held a meeting in Beirut to discuss the ongoing conflict. Following the meeting, they expressed a collective desire to achieve a "real victory for the resistance in Gaza and Palestine" and halt what they described as Israel's "treacherous and brutal aggression."

Tobias Borck, a senior research fellow, described Iran's actions as playing with fire, signaling a heightened level of risk in the region. The situation is becoming increasingly dangerous, as Iran appears determined to demonstrate its resolve and capabilities.

Earlier on Thursday, President Biden sent a rare message to the Iranian Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, cautioning Tehran against targeting US personnel in the Middle East.

Governments in the West and the Middle East share concerns about the potential for a broader regional conflict if Israel continues its offensive in Gaza or launches a ground invasion in response to the October 7 attack by Hamas.

On Thursday, Israel announced that it was moving into the "next stages of the war" following a substantial but limited raid on Gaza, which was described as a probing action in preparation for a sustained ground offensive. Israel has imposed a siege on the densely populated Gaza Strip in response to the Hamas attack on Israeli communities on October 7, resulting in significant casualties and widespread destruction.

The Gaza health ministry, controlled by Hamas, reported a high number of Palestinian casualties due to retaliatory airstrikes, including a substantial number of children.

Satellite imagery released by Maxar Technologies and Planet Labs showcased extensive destruction in various parts of Gaza, with buildings reduced to rubble and ash.

Leaders of the 27 European Union member states have unanimously called for "humanitarian corridors and pauses" in the shelling to allow the delivery of essential supplies, including food, water, and medical aid to Gaza.

The question of whether to establish humanitarian pauses or ceasefire agreements in Gaza is expected to be raised at the United Nations General Assembly. Arab states have submitted a draft resolution seeking a ceasefire, and unlike the UN Security Council, no country holds veto power in the General Assembly. While such resolutions are non-binding, they carry significant political weight.