Pentagon: US strikes eastern Syria in “self-defence”

The US military struck eastern Syria on December 3rd, following the firing of rockets near US base MSS Euphrates in the region, according to AA via Reuters.

A Pentagon official said: “This morning, US Central Command forces successfully destroyed several weapon systems in the vicinity of Military Support Site Euphrates in Syria that included three truck mounted multiple rocket launchers, a T-64 tank and mortars that presented a clear and imminent threat to US and coalition forces.”

The US is still unsure who was operating the rockets, but they say they are aware of Iranian-backed militia groups in the area who have carried out attacks in the past.

Conceding there are also Syrian government forces nearby, the Pentagon emphasised that the strikes were “self-defence actions” and were not connected to “broader activities in northwest Syria by other groups”, referencing US-backed Kurdish forces, including the PKK.

Anadolu Agency via Reuters