The attack is the first of its kind in the region, and it underscores the growing use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) as a tool of warfare.
The drone strike on Thursday occurred near the Al-Omar oil field in the eastern Syrian province of Deir al-Zour, where American and Kurdish forces are stationed. The strike was reportedly carried out by a drone that was launched from within Syria, likely by an Iranian-backed militia group.
In response, U.S. forces launched airstrikes against militia facilities in Syria, hitting multiple targets in Syria’s Deir al-Zour region.
“The United States will not tolerate attacks against our people, our interests, or our allies,” said Pentagon spokesperson John Kirby in a statement. “We will respond with force when necessary to defend ourselves.”
The strike comes at a particularly sensitive time for the U.S., which is currently engaged in negotiations with Iran over a possible return to the nuclear deal. The U.S. wants Iran to return to compliance with the terms of the agreement, which would involve reining in its nuclear program, in exchange for a lifting of economic sanctions.