The US conducted air strikes against two Iran-linked sites in Syria on Sunday in response to attacks on American personnel, Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said.
This is the third such strike since October 27 and comes in response to dozens of attacks on US and coalition forces in Iraq and Syria, which have increased in tempo since the start of the Israel-Gaza war.
“US military forces conducted precision strikes today on facilities in eastern Syria used by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and Iran-affiliated groups in response to continued attacks against US personnel in Iraq and Syria,” Mr Austin said in a statement.
“The strikes were conducted against a training facility and a safe house near the cities of Abu Kamal and Mayadin, respectively.”
On November 8, a pair of US F-15 fighter jets destroyed an Iran-supported weapons storage depot in north-eastern Syria, the Pentagon said.
Those strikes followed the October 27 bombardment of two sites in eastern Syria used by the IRGC.
The Pentagon did not immediately release more details on Sunday's strikes.
The US is trying to contain the Israel-Gaza war and has been reluctant to draw too strong a connection between Israel's military assault on the Gaza Strip and the increased hostilities from Iran-backed groups.
But since mid-October, there have been more than 40 attacks in Iraq and Syria on American and coalition forces.
President Joe Biden “has no higher priority than the safety of US personnel, and he directed today’s action to make clear that the United States will defend itself, its personnel and its interests", Mr Austin said.
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Who was Alfred Nobel?
The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.
- In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
- Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
- Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
Types of bank fraud
1) Phishing
Fraudsters send an unsolicited email that appears to be from a financial institution or online retailer. The hoax email requests that you provide sensitive information, often by clicking on to a link leading to a fake website.
2) Smishing
The SMS equivalent of phishing. Fraudsters falsify the telephone number through “text spoofing,” so that it appears to be a genuine text from the bank.
3) Vishing
The telephone equivalent of phishing and smishing. Fraudsters may pose as bank staff, police or government officials. They may persuade the consumer to transfer money or divulge personal information.
4) SIM swap
Fraudsters duplicate the SIM of your mobile number without your knowledge or authorisation, allowing them to conduct financial transactions with your bank.
5) Identity theft
Someone illegally obtains your confidential information, through various ways, such as theft of your wallet, bank and utility bill statements, computer intrusion and social networks.
6) Prize scams
Fraudsters claiming to be authorised representatives from well-known organisations (such as Etisalat, du, Dubai Shopping Festival, Expo2020, Lulu Hypermarket etc) contact victims to tell them they have won a cash prize and request them to share confidential banking details to transfer the prize money.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
