The Pentagon writes in one press release that the attacks were ordered by President Joe Biden, and were carried out on Sunday night.
According to the Pentagon, the target of the attacks was facilities used by Iranian-backed rebels.
The attacks took place in the border areas between Iraq and Syria.
“The targets were chosen because these facilities were used by Iranian – backed insurgents who carry out attacks on US personnel and facilities in Iraq,” the Pentagon wrote.
According to the Americans, among other things, weapons depots were attacked. It must have been a target in Syria and one in Iraq. Among the targets were facilities used for drone attacks on US targets, according to the Pentagon.
– Five deaths
Pentagon spokesman John Kirby calls it a defensive attack. He says what is happening is a response to several attacks on Americans.
Around 2,500 US troops are stationed in Iraq, writes the BBC. They are part of an international coalition that will fight the terrorist organization IS.
“The United States took the necessary and targeted action to minimize the risk of escalation, but also to send a clear and clearly dissuasive message,” says Kirby.
There have been reports of deaths since the attacks, but this has not been officially confirmed. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, at least five rebel fighters have been killed in the attacks, and several wounded.
Warned Iran
Sunday’s attack is the second time the Biden administration has carried out attacks in the region. In February, the United States attacked facilities in Syria, near the border with Iraq.
Even then, the United States claimed that the rebel groups that were attacked received support from Iran.
Biden then said that Iran should take the attacks as a warning that the country can expect consequences if it continues to support rebel groups that threaten US targets.
– You can not behave as if you have impunity. Be careful, Biden answered a question about what message he wanted to send with the attacks in February.
Self-defense
On Sunday, Biden would not comment on the new attacks when he met with the press briefly, but the president said he would say more on Monday.
At the same time, the Pentagon is warning of new attacks.
– Biden has been clear that he will act to protect American personnel. Given the ongoing series of attacks by Iranian-backed insurgents, the president ordered new military action to prevent such attacks, Kirby said.
He adds that the United States acted in self-defense under international law.
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