The US military has carried out multiple airstrikes in eastern Syria, in what many consider to be another violation of Syria’s sovereignty, resulting in the death of a number of Syrian military forces.

The US military alleged that Iran-aligned groups carried out a drone attack on a US-occupied area in northeastern Syria, resulting in the death of a US contractor, injuries to another, and five US troops.

As a response, Pentagon Chief Lloyd Austin issued a statement late Thursday, saying, “At the direction of President [Joe] Biden, I authorized US Central Command forces to conduct precision airstrikes tonight in eastern Syria against facilities used by groups affiliated with Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC).”

However, local sources have pointed out that the target of the airstrikes was not an Iranian military post, as claimed by the US military. Instead, the airstrikes hit the rural development center and the grain center in the Hrabash neighborhood, which are near the Dayr al-Zawr military airport.

Syria rejects the presence of US forces on its soil, describing it as an occupation. It has repeatedly demanded the withdrawal of those forces.

Source: Press TV