WASHINGTON, FEBRUARY 3,2024 (ozi news desk):
The US military carried out retaliatory airstrikes against Iranian forces and militia groups supported by Tehran in Iraq and Syria. These airstrikes were in response to a drone attack on an American base in Jordan, which resulted in the death of several American soldiers. The United States attributed the drone attack to Iran-backed forces but refrained from directly striking Iranian territory. The objective of these airstrikes was to deter future attacks while avoiding a full-scale war with Iran, a goal that both sides have been keen to avoid. In a statement, US President Joe Biden emphasized that these retaliatory actions would continue intermittently and in locations determined by the United States.The United States has no intention of instigating conflict in the Middle East or any other part of the world. However, it is crucial for those who have ill intentions towards us to understand that if they cause harm to an American, there will be a swift and resolute response from our side.
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) has announced that the recent strikes were aimed at the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force and associated militia groups. These strikes involved over 85 targets, with a variety of aircraft, including long-range bombers flown from the United States. CENTCOM stated that more than 125 precision munitions were used in these airstrikes. The targets included command and control centers, intelligence facilities, as well as storage sites for rockets, missiles, and drones that belonged to militia groups and Iranian forces. These groups were targeted due to their involvement in facilitating attacks against US and coalition forces.
According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor, the recent strikes resulted in the deaths of at least 18 pro-Iran fighters. The strikes, carried out by B-1 bombers that flew from the United States, lasted approximately 30 minutes. The National Security Council spokesperson, John Kirby, stated that the United States is still evaluating the extent of the damage caused by the strikes, which targeted seven separate facilities and hit dozens of targets. Despite this, the United States considers the raids to be successful and has indicated that there will be more to come. Rami Abdel Rahman, the chief of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, reported that 26 major sites housing pro-Iranian groups in Syria, including weapons depots, were destroyed. In addition, two Iraq security sources informed AFP that a weapons warehouse and a command center belonging to pro-Iranian groups were targeted in western Iraq near the Syrian border, resulting in some injuries. Allison McManus, the managing director for national security and international policy at the Center for American Progress, described the strikes as a significant escalation, but expressed skepticism about their overall impact, noting that similar tit-for-tat strikes have not proven to be deterrents in the past. The recent military action has been condemned by Iraq, with its prime minister considering it a violation of the country’s sovereignty. While the United States did inform the Iraqi government prior to the strikes, the private response from Baghdad remains undisclosed. President Biden, who had previously promised to retaliate against those responsible for the drone attack in Jordan, attended a solemn military ceremony at a Delaware air base to honor the return of the three soldiers who lost their lives. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General CQ Brown were also present, emphasizing the significance of the event and the relationship between the military and the administration.
