The U.S. carried out airstrikes in eastern Syria to defend its forces, destroying several pieces of military equipment belonging to militant groups, the Pentagon announced on Thursday.
According to officials, the operation was aimed at protecting American personnel stationed in the region and not intended as an intervention in Syria’s ongoing civil war, which recently saw rebel forces seize control of Aleppo.
The strikes targeted three truck-mounted rocket launchers, mortars, an armored personnel carrier, and a main battle tank, according to the Pentagon’s statement. Air Force Maj. Gen. Patrick S. Ryder, the Pentagon Press Secretary, clarified that the strike was conducted as a “self-defense measure” after rockets and mortars were launched toward American troops positioned at a U.S. outpost in eastern Syria.
“This was a self-defense strike carried out to ensure the safety of our personnel and deter any further attacks,” Maj. Gen. Ryder said, underscoring that the U.S. has no intention of direct involvement in the broader conflict.
Addition Footage showing an A-10C “Warthog” Close-Air Support Aircraft with the U.S. Air Force, conducting Strikes earlier today on Pro-Regime and Iranian-Backed Forces, while dropping Flares over the Deir ez-Zor Governorate. pic.twitter.com/ioB4Vgo0Xj
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) December 3, 2024
Reports and video footage circulating on social media indicate that Fairchild Republic A-10C ground-attack jets, commonly known as “Warthogs,” were deployed to carry out the strikes. Known for their unique design and close-air support capability, A-10 aircraft are equipped with the GAU-8 Avenger 30mm cannon, capable of destroying heavily armored targets, including tanks. The distinct sound of the A-10’s cannon could be heard in unverified videos posted online, which purported to show the recent attacks.
This latest airstrike marks the second instance in recent days of U.S. forces deploying A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft in defense operations in Syria. On November 29, A-10 jets struck militants preparing to launch attacks on American outposts, according to Maj. Gen. Ryder. The deployment of A-10 aircraft to bolster airpower in the region has been ongoing since the spring of 2023.
The U.S. remains the only global operator of the A-10 Thunderbolt II, a jet that has gained iconic status for its resilience and tank-busting firepower. Featuring a titanium-armored cockpit and an unmistakable silhouette, the A-10 has been a reliable asset for U.S. forces in providing close air support across multiple theaters of war.
The Pentagon made it clear that the recent strikes were unrelated to the ongoing rebel offensive against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s forces. The offensive, which erupted unexpectedly at the end of November, has seen Syrian opposition forces—led by Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS)—make significant advances, including the takeover of Aleppo, the country’s second-largest city. Maj. Gen. Ryder reiterated that the U.S. strikes were strictly defensive in nature and not part of a broader coordination with the rebel offensive.
The situation in Syria remains fluid, with both rebel groups and pro-Assad forces engaged in heavy fighting. The involvement of American airstrikes to protect U.S. forces adds another layer to an already complex battlefield where multiple international actors have competing interests.