Pentagon says casualties likely from US airstrikes in Iraq and Syria

By Iclal Turan

WASHINGTON (AA) - The Pentagon said Monday that there were likely casualties from US airstrikes last week targeting Iranian-backed militias in Iraq and Syria.

“I think it is fair to conclude that there likely were casualties associated with these strikes,” Pentagon Press Secretary Patrick Ryder told reporters in response to questions about Iranian proxies being killed.

“But to ensure that we're providing accurate information, we need to allow time for Central Command to continue to conduct its assessment,” he added.

Ryder said the US has been clear that it was targeting Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Iranian-backed proxies who are facilitating and conducting attacks on US forces.

“These were facilities that have been used or are being used by the IRGC and affiliated militias to attack US forces,” he added.

The US targeted command and control operations centers, intelligence centers, storage facilities for rockets, missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and logistics and munition supply chain facilities, he added.

The US launched airstrikes on Friday against Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force and Iranian-backed militias in Iraq and Syria after a suicide drone attack killed three American troops in Jordan.

In all, more than 85 targets were hit, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a statement.