Iran-backed groups claim drone attacks on US bases in Syria

UAVs said to strike facility in al-Omar oil field area in Deir ez-Zur, as well as al-Tanf and al-Shaddadi bases; Biden ditches presser midway after learning of attack
Lior Ben-Ari|
US President Joe Biden leaves press conference after being informed about attack on US bases in Syria

Three U.S. military bases in Syria were attacked by Iranian-backed militias using drones, the Hezbollah-affiliated Al Mayadeen network reported late on Monday.
<< Follow Ynetnews on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | TikTok >>
Read more:
According to the report, the targeted bases include a facility in the al-Omar oil field area in eastern Deir ez-Zur, and the two bases, al-Tanf and al-Shaddadi. Katai’b Hezbollah, an Iraqi militia group established by Iran's elite Quds Force, claimed responsibility for the attacks on al-Omar and al-Shaddadi.
2 View gallery
ג'ו ביידן עזב מסיבת עיתונאים
ג'ו ביידן עזב מסיבת עיתונאים
US President Joe Biden leaves press conference after being informed about attack on US bases in Syria
U.S. President Joe Biden was informed about the attack as he held a press conference and stated that he had to head to the situation room.
Earlier, the Biden administration expressed concerns about an uptick in attacks by Iran's proxies in the region since the Israel-Gaza conflict began on Oct. 7, days after a U.S. warship intercepted missiles launched from Yemen, believed to be aimed at Israel. Alongside the missile interception, there were reports of rocket and drone strikes by Shiite militias on the Ain al-Asad airbase in western Iraq, where U.S. and other foreign troops are stationed.
U.S. National Security Council Spokesperson John Kirby said on Monday that "Iran continues to support Hamas and Hezbollah, and closely monitors the events." Kirby added that in some instances, Iran aids in attacks on U.S. bases and incites actors in the region to undertake actions that serve its interests.
2 View gallery
ספינת מלחמה של ארה"ב USS CARNEY
ספינת מלחמה של ארה"ב USS CARNEY
USS Carney which intercepted missiles from Yemen
The Pentagon said earlier that the United States has not seen a direct order from Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to attack U.S. troops in the region
"We don't necessarily see that Iran has explicitly ordered them to take these kinds of attacks," Pentagon spokesperson Brigadier General Patrick Ryder told reporters.
Pressed on the issue, Ryder added: "We haven't seen a direct order, for example, from the Supreme Leader saying: 'Go out and do this.'"
Ryder, however, said that the United States ultimately holds Iran responsible for such attacks by militant groups "by virtue of the fact that they are supported by Iran."
Iranian security officials told Reuters Iran's strategy was for Middle East proxies like Hezbollah to pursue limited strikes on Israeli and U.S. targets but to avoid a major escalation that would draw in Tehran, a high-wire act for the Islamic Republic.

Reuters contributed to this report.
Comments
The commenter agrees to the privacy policy of Ynet News and agrees not to submit comments that violate the terms of use, including incitement, libel and expressions that exceed the accepted norms of freedom of speech.
""