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The United States believes its latest air strikes on Sunday against Iran-linked militia in Syria killed up to seven people, a U.S. official said on Tuesday, speaking on condition of anonymity to disclose the U.S. assessment.

The deaths would be the first since the United States started carrying out retaliatory strikes against militia who Washington blames for attacking American troops at bases in Iraq and Syria. The other strikes have hit unoccupied facilities, including for storage of weaponry.

U.S. and coalition troops have been attacked at leastÌý55Ìý times in Iraq and Syria since early October. Statements, purportedly from the militant groups responsible, have said the assaults are in response to U.S. support for Israel in the war in Gaza.

The U.S. official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the people were killed during one of the U.S. strikes on the training facility near the city of Al Bukamal.

A second strike that the Pentagon says was carried out at a safe house near the city of Mayadeen may have killed an additional person, the official said.

The U.S. military assesses that no women or children were killed in the strikes, the official said.

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Monday left open the possibility of more strikes against Iran-linked groups if attacks against American forces in Iraq and Syria don't stop.

The United States has 900 troops in Syria, and 2,500 more in neighboring Iraq.

There is growing concern that the Israel's war on Gaza could spread through the Middle East and turn U.S. troops at bases throughout the region into targets.

The United States has deployed additional air defenses and sent warships and fighter aircraft to the region since the conflict erupted on October 7, including two aircraft carriers, to try to deter Iran and Iran-backed groups.

The number of troops added to the region is in the thousands.

(Reuters)