The United States has no intention of provoking conflict in the Middle East or any other part of the world. However, President Joe Biden emphasized that those considering harm to Americans should be aware that any harm inflicted will be met with a response, as stated in an official statement.
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| Image - Joe Biden, the President of the United States, welcomes service members upon his arrival at Dover Air Base on Friday. Credit - Associated Press |
After a drone attack resulting in the death of three US soldiers in a remote Jordanian base, the US military responded with multiple airstrikes against Iranian-backed forces and militia groups in Iraq and Syria on Friday. Utilizing drones and B1 bombers, over 125 precision munitions targeted 85 locations across seven facilities—four in Syria and three in Iraq—to showcase the strength of the US air force. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that these strikes in eastern Syria led to the demise of at least 18 Iran-supported terrorists and the destruction of 26 significant sites hosting pro-Iranian groups, including weapons depots.
Charles Lister, a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute, shared on social media platform X, stating, "The strikes in western Iraq and eastern Syria tonight surpass any previous action against Iran's proxies. Massive secondary explosions on both sides of the border indicate significant hits on rocket/missile depots."
While the United States refrained from targeting Iran's territory in response to the drone attack, they attributed the incident to Iran-backed forces. US President Joe Biden declared, "Our response began today. It will continue at times and places of our choosing." He emphasized that the US does not seek conflict but will respond to harm against Americans.
The National Security Council spokesman, John Kirby, revealed that the strikes, lasting about 30 minutes, involved B-1 bombers flying from the United States. The Defense Department is assessing damage from the strikes, hitting dozens of targets at seven facilities, with the belief that the raids were successful and more would follow.
Iraq condemned the military action as a violation of its sovereignty, despite prior notification from the US. President Biden attended a ceremony for the "dignified transfer" of the three soldiers killed in the drone attack.
Tensions persist in the Middle East, with frequent attacks on US and coalition troops. The recent events heighten regional instability, exacerbated by conflicts in Gaza and Yemen.
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