[Asia Economy Reporter Yujin Cho] The United States is suspected to attribute the drone attack that occurred on the 20th at the Al-Tanf US military base in southern Syria to Iran, according to an AP report on the 25th (local time).
US government officials speaking on condition of anonymity stated that although the drones did not fly in from Iran, they believe Iran supported the attack behind the scenes. US authorities have identified the drones carrying explosives as Iranian-made and believe they were used with the support of the Iranian government.
On the 20th, five drones carrying explosives attacked both US and allied forces at the Al-Tanf base. It is reported that there were no casualties from this attack. Currently, US and allied forces training Syrian troops against the Sunni extremist terrorist organization 'Islamic State' (IS) are stationed there.
John Kirby, spokesperson for the US Department of Defense, said at a press conference that the attack on the Al-Tanf base was a "complex, organized, and deliberate attack," and that similar attacks have been carried out in the past by Shiite armed groups backed by Iran. He did not specify details such as the types of weapons used in the attack.
Spokesperson Kirby refused to comment on whether the military had received prior warnings of the attack or whether there would be a military response to this attack.
The Al-Tanf base is located on a key road necessary for pro-Iranian forces to advance into southern Lebanon and Israel.
Pro-Iranian media reported that the attack on the Al-Tanf base was carried out as retaliation for the airstrike on the Palmyra area, a Syrian government stronghold, on the 14th.
In Syria, a civil war is ongoing between the government forces of President Bashar al-Assad, supported by Russia and Iran, and rebel forces backed by Turkey. US and allied forces, deployed to expel IS, are also partially stationed there.
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