The United States carried out retaliatory airstrikes on Friday against over 85 targets in Iraq and Syria linked to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard (IRGC) and its regional proxies, the US military said. The strikes were in response to a deadly drone attack last weekend that killed three US troops and injured 40 others in Jordan.
While the US strikes avoided targets inside Iran, tensions are likely to increase amid the ongoing fallout from Israel’s war with Hamas militants in Gaza. The US said its strikes hit command centres, weapons depots, and supply facilities used by Iran-backed militias across seven locations. They involved the use of long-range bombers and appeared successful, triggering large secondary explosions, according to Lt. Gen. Douglas Sims.
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Syria reported a number of casualties from American strikes on its desert areas and near the Iraqi border. The Jordan attack was the first deadly strike against US forces since Israel launched its Gaza offensive in October, which has killed over 26,000 Palestinians by Gaza tallies.
President Biden directed the strikes as part of a multi-tiered response. “Our response began today. It will continue at times and places of our choosing,” he said after attending a ceremony for the fallen troops. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin called it “the start of our response” against the IRGC and its proxies.
Today, at my direction, U.S. military forces struck targets in Iraq and Syria that the IRGC and affiliated militia use to attack U.S. forces.
We do not seek conflict in the Middle East or anywhere else in the world.
But to all those who seek to do us harm: We will respond.
— President Biden (@POTUS) February 2, 2024
The US has accused Iran of supplying the drone used in Jordan and says its troops have faced over 160 attacks in the region since October. While seeking to avoid outright war, Biden said he would not tolerate attacks on US forces.
Iranian President Raisi warned Iran would not start a conflict but would strongly respond if provoked. His advisers assist militias in Iraq, where the US has 2,500 troops, and Syria, where it has 900.
The strikes come amid Houthi attacks on ships in the Red Sea claiming solidarity with Palestinians. Israel’s offensive in Gaza has killed over 26,000 Palestinians. The US said its aim is not Middle East conflict but that it will act firmly against threats to its troops.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Quds Force and affiliated militia groups continue to represent a direct threat to the stability of Iraq, the region, and the safety of Americans. We will continue to take action, do whatever is necessary to protect our people, and… pic.twitter.com/Y53nvRfjjx
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) February 3, 2024
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