US contractor killed in drone strike in Syria, prompting military retaliation.

A suspected Iranian-affiliated drone attack killed a US contractor and wounded five US service members in northeast Syria. In response, President Joe Biden authorized a precision airstrike against facilities used by groups affiliated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC). The US maintains approximately 900 troops in Syria and has carried out airstrikes against militias affiliated with Iran on multiple occasions following previous attacks on US facilities in the region. The commander of US Central Command, Gen. Erik Kurilla, said the US could carry out additional strikes if there were more attacks.