U.S. troops remain targets in Syria, counterstrikes won’t stop attacks

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
November 8, 2023
Contact: press@defensepriorities.org

WASHINGTON, DC—The U.S. has conducted airstrikes against a facility used by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps and its proxies in eastern Syria. Defense Priorities Public Policy Manager and Fellow Michael DiMino issued the following statement in response:

“Tonight’s U.S. airstrikes targeting IRGC-affiliated militias in eastern Syria will not stop continued attacks on American troops in exposed, remote, and difficult-to-defend compounds. The Biden Administration’s repeated attempts to “re-establish deterrence” have proven as much. Indeed, dozens of attacks on U.S. troops have occurred since previous airstrikes on October 26. Now is the time for the White House to acknowledge that our continued presence, absent a vital national security rationale, is no longer in America’s interest. As we have failed to provide our service members with a clear mission, the means to adequately defend themselves, and a plan for victory, all U.S. troops in Syria should be immediately redeployed to CENTCOM hubs where they will not remain needlessly subjected to attacks by Iran-backed groups that only serve to increase the risk of regional war in the Middle East.”

Author

Michael
DiMino

Former Public Policy Manager & Fellow

Defense Priorities