Friday Air Strike On Iran-Linked Targets In Syria Confirmed

Iraqi officials have confirmed earlier reports that unidentified warplanes attacked Iran-aligned militia targets in Syria, near the Iraqi border early Friday.

The attack resulted in four confirmed casualties, as stated by a local commander from Iraq's Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF). A Syrian war monitor reported that as many as 19 were killed, including four members of the Lebanese Hezbollah.

Iran International reported on the attack on Friday, but there was no official confirmation at the time.

While the commander denied harm to groups' fighters near the Syrian border, the strikes specifically targeted an eight-truck convoy, leading to the destruction of at least four trucks and three buildings affiliated with an Iranian-backed militia group, according to sources with connections to Syrian border officials.

Iran-aligned forces, including Hezbollah, hold influence across significant areas in eastern, southern, and northwestern Syria, as well as in suburbs surrounding the capital. Suspicions point toward Israel, known for its historical targeting of Iran-linked sites, although the US denies any involvement, emphasizing the absence of defensive strikes overnight.

Despite its reluctance to directly get involved in the Gaza war, Iran persists in utilizing proxy forces across Syria, Lebanon, and Yemen to target both US and international interests, with a record of over 100 drone and rocket attacks. Criticism is mounting against President Joe Biden for perceived leniency toward Iran, prompting calls for a more robust approach from former US officials and Republican lawmakers.

Iran denies any role in the attacks by militants, asserting that planning and execution are independently carried out by its affiliated armed groups. Despite escalating rhetoric, Iran, facing economic challenges, exercises caution to avoid significant losses.