Attack on US Military Base in Syria... Suspected to be Carried Out by Pro-Iran Militia

Photo by CNN

[Asia Economy Reporter Yujin Cho] Pro-Iranian militias fired several shells at the U.S. military base at the Al-Omar oil field in Syria on the 28th (local time).

Major foreign media outlets, citing the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, reported that no casualties have been confirmed so far.

In retaliation, the U.S.-led coalition launched shelling attacks on the village of Al-Mayadin.

The Syrian state news agency SANA also reported that missiles targeted the U.S. military-occupied base at the Al-Omar oil field on the same day but did not specify who was responsible.

The U.S. Department of Defense stated that a rocket attack occurred at 7:44 p.m. local Syrian time and that damage is currently being assessed, but did not mention who was behind the attack.

This attack occurred the day after the U.S. conducted airstrikes against militias supported by Iran, and it is presumed to be the work of pro-Iranian militias.

The U.S. Department of Defense said the airstrikes were carried out in retaliation for drone attacks by these militias on U.S. military bases and personnel in Iraq, but Iran and Iraq strongly opposed the strikes.

John Kirby, spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Defense, stated, "We conducted airstrikes on two locations in Syria used as militia operational and weapons storage facilities, and one location in Iraq," adding, "This was in retaliation for drone attacks by these militias on U.S. military bases and personnel in Iraq."

White House spokesperson Jen Psaki also said during a press briefing that the previous day's airstrikes were carried out in self-defense against attacks on U.S. forces.

The U.S. military's retaliatory airstrikes against pro-Iranian militias mark the second such action since President Biden took office. Earlier, in February, President Biden ordered airstrikes on targets in Syria in response to rocket attacks.

The recent airstrikes came ahead of the 7th round of talks to restore the Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA - Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action).

Foreign media interpret this attack as a form of pressure to bring Iran, which is about to inaugurate a conservative hardline government for the first time in eight years, back to the nuclear deal negotiation table.

The Biden administration wants to restore the Iran nuclear deal, but talks have been temporarily suspended due to unresolved differences among the parties involved, and no schedule has been set for resuming negotiations.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.