US helicopters pound militant sites in Syria following rocket attack

U.S. forces in attack helicopters responded Wednesday to rocket attacks in Syria, destroying vehicles and equipment and killing as many as three Iran-back militants, according to a Central Command news release.

Several rockets landed around 7:20 p.m. local time inside the perimeter of Mission Support Site Conoco in northeast Syria, according to the release. Shortly after, additional rockets landed near Mission Support Site Green Village.

One U.S. service member in Mission Support Site Conoco was treated for a minor injury and returned to duty. Two others were evaluated for minor injuries, the release states.

“We are closely monitoring the situation,” CENTCOM commander Gen. Michael “Erik” Kurilla said in the release. “We have a total spectrum of capability to mitigate threats across the region, and we have every confidence in our ability to protect our troops and Coalition partners from attacks.”

The U.S. response was “proportional and deliberate,” according to CENTCOM. “The United States does not seek conflict with Iran, but we will continue to take the measures necessary to protect and defend our people.”

The U.S. response to rocket attacks follow airstrikes Tuesday in Syria on sites associated with Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps, according to CENTCOM.

Those strikes targeted a camp run by Shiite fighters from Afghanistan, and killed at least six Syrian and foreign militants, according to The Associated Press.