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Rockets hit US military base after airstrikes target Syrian troops

Friday, 24 March 2023 11:20 AM [ Last Update: Friday, 24 March 2023 11:41 AM ]

This picture shows a member of the US occupation forces in Syria’s oil-rich eastern province of Dayr al-Zawr. (Photo by AFP)

A military base housing US forces in eastern province of Dayr al-Zawr has come under a rocket attack hours after the Pentagon carried out multiple airstrikes against Syrian troops.

Lebanon’s al-Mayadeen television news network, citing local sources, reported that ‏the rockets landed in the vicinity of US-controlled al-Omar oil field at around 11 a.m. local time (0800 GMT) on Friday, causing several explosions.

There were no immediate reports of injuries and the extent of damage.

The attack came hours after the US military launched several air raids against Syrian forces. Washington said it hit the positions of resistance fighters behind a drone strike that killed an American contractor, wounded another and also hurt five US troops.

The Pentagon said in a statement that the attack against US personnel took place at a base near Hasakah in northeast Syria at approximately 1:38 p.m. local time (1038 GMT) on Thursday.

US airstrikes target Syrian troops in Dayr al-Zawr; no Iranian killed

The US military has carried out multiple airstrikes in eastern Syria in another flagrant breach of Syria’s sovereignty.

Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin said the US airstrikes were carried out at the direction of President Joe Biden and targeted facilities used by groups opposed to the presence of American forces in Syria.

“The airstrikes were conducted in response to today's attack as well as a series of recent attacks against coalition forces in Syria,” Austin said in a statement.

Local sources pointed out that the target was not an Iran-aligned military post as the US military claimed, but rather a rural development center and a grain center in Hrabash neighborhood, near Dayr al-Zawr military airport.

Meanwhile, no Iranian was killed in the act of aggression.

A military source in Syria told Press TV that the resistance groups reserve right to respond to the American attack and will take reciprocal action.

China to US: Stop plundering Syrian resources, pull troops out

Chinese Foreign Ministry calls on the US to stop plundering the Syrian nation

The US military has for long stationed its forces and equipment in northeastern Syria, with the Pentagon claiming that the deployment is aimed at preventing the oilfields in the area from falling into the hands of the Daesh terrorists.

Damascus, however, maintains the deployment is meant to plunder the country’s natural resources. Former US president Donald Trump admitted on several occasions that American forces were in the Arab country for its oil wealth.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.ir