US launches airstrikes in Syria after US contractor killed by Iranian drone strike

The U.S. military on Thursday executed airstrikes in Syria in response to a drone strike by Iranian forces earlier in the day on a coalition base that killed a U.S. contractor. 

"As President Biden has made clear, we will take all necessary measures to defend our people and will always respond at a time and place of our choosing," Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin said. "No group will strike our troops with impunity."

Austin also said the strikes were conducted "in response" to the drone attack and a series of other recent attacks against coalition forces in Syria by groups affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

The United States has roughly 900 troops stationed in Syria.