US Carries Out Retaliatory Strikes on Iranian-Linked Forces in Iraq and Syria
In a swift and decisive response to a drone attack that killed three American troops, the United States carried out retaliatory strikes on Iranian-linked forces in Iraq and Syria. The strikes targeted facilities used by Tehran’s elite Revolutionary Guards and Iranian-backed militia in the region. This marked the first time that the US directly targeted the Quds Force, the overseas operations branch of the Revolutionary Guards.
The US military confirmed that 85 targets at seven separate facilities were hit in the strikes. The strikes included command and control centers, intelligence centers, rocket and missile storage sites, drone storage sites, and logistic hubs. The US employed long-range B1 bombers, among other aircraft, in the attacks. Lieutenant General Douglas Sims, director for operations for the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, revealed that the bombers flew from the US in a single nonstop flight.
The decision to carry out these strikes came after repeated attacks by Iran-backed militias on US military personnel in Iraq, Syria, and Jordan. Initially, President Joe Biden showed restraint in response to these attacks. However, as the attacks escalated, the White House recalibrated its approach. Last month, the US launched missile strikes against Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen who had attacked commercial shipping in the Red Sea.
President Biden made it clear that these retaliatory strikes were just the beginning. “Our response began today,” he stated. “It will continue at times and places of our choosing.” US National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby echoed this sentiment, saying that there would be additional action taken to put an end to these attacks.
While Iran’s foreign ministry condemned the strikes as a violation of international law, Iranian officials have repeatedly stated that they do not want direct conflict with the US or Israel. Major General Hossein Salami, commander of the Revolutionary Guards, emphasized that Iran is not seeking war but is not afraid of it either.
The Iraqi government also condemned the strikes, claiming that 16 people were killed, including civilians. The Syrian military reported that “many civilian and military martyrs” were killed but did not provide further details.
These retaliatory strikes have raised concerns that the US is being drawn deeper into a widening regional conflict sparked by the Israel-Hamas war. However, President Biden has repeatedly stated that the US does not seek conflict in the Middle East or anywhere else in the world. He made it clear that if American personnel are harmed, the US will respond.
As tensions continue to escalate in the region, it remains to be seen how Iran and its allies will respond to these strikes. The US has made it clear that it will not tolerate attacks on its personnel and will take necessary action to protect its interests. The coming days and weeks will be crucial in determining the future trajectory of this conflict.