On Tuesday, the United States military conducted airstrikes against hostile targets in eastern Syria, a week following an unexpected rebel offensive in opposition to the government of Bashar al-Assad.
"The self-defense strike occurred after the mobile multiple rocket launchers fired rockets that landed in the vicinity of MSS Euphrates and mortars were fired towards U.S. forces," Pentagon spokesperson Gen. Pat Ryder told reporters after the incident, later confirming the operation was "not linked to any broader activities in northwest Syria by other groups."
Ryder also reported the destruction of a T-64 tank positioned within the targeted area.
The incursion marked the second time in recent days that U.S. Central Command had to respond to insurgent actions endangering the approximately 900 American personnel stationed in the country, a deployment intended to prevent the resurgence of the Islamic State in the region.
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