The US launched the latest strikes overnight in response to a rocket attack on two coalition bases housing US troops in Syria, in which three US service members were lightly wounded. In the initial response to the missile attack on Wednesday, US attack helicopters destroyed three vehicles and the missile launchers used to carry out the attack, the US Central Command said in a statement. Two or three Iranian-backed fighters were also killed in the helicopter strike, according to an initial estimate. The strikes are the latest in an ongoing back-and-forth between US forces and Iran-backed groups in Syria that has quickly escalated. The US has said it does not seek conflict with Iran, but has vowed to respond to attacks against US forces in the region. Lt. Gen. John Brennan, commander of Operation Inherent Resolve, said in a statement: “We will not tolerate these brazen attacks and will respond aggressively using any and all means at our disposal to protect and defend ourselves, the our partners. and innocent citizens”. This story is breaking and will be updated.
