- US forces conduct strikes against Iran-backed groups in Iraq and Syria in response to drone attack on US troops in Jordan.
- Strikes target over 85 facilities including command centers, rockets, and munition supply chain facilities.
- President Biden emphasizes ongoing response “at times and places of our choosing” but states US does not seek conflict.
Additional Coverage:
- US forces are striking back in retaliation for the drone attack that killed 3 American troops (businessinsider.com)
US forces have conducted strikes against Iran-backed groups in Iraq and Syria, according to a US defence official. These military actions come after a recent drone attack killed US troops in Jordan. The strikes are part of a larger retaliatory campaign and are expected to continue in the future.
The US military launched airstrikes against Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Quds Force and affiliated militia groups, hitting over 85 targets in Iraq and Syria. Command and control operations centres, intelligence centres, rockets and missiles, unmanned aerial vehicle storages, and logistics and munition supply chain facilities were among the facilities targeted in the strikes.
The White House National Security Council reported that the strikes hit seven facilities used by the IRGC and affiliated militia groups, lasting for about 30 minutes. The number of casualties is unknown at this time. President Joe Biden stated that the US response will continue “at times and places of our choosing” and emphasized that the US does not seek conflict but will respond to harm directed towards Americans.
The retaliatory action was prompted by a drone attack on a small US military outpost in Jordan, where three US troops were killed and dozens were injured. The White House blamed Iran-backed militias for the attack and vowed to hold those responsible accountable. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin echoed this sentiment, stating that the US will not tolerate attacks on American forces.
Washington has indicated that the response will involve multiple layers and will not be a single act of retaliation. The recent attack on the US military outpost marks a significant escalation in the ongoing attacks by Iran-backed militias against US forces in the region.
Analysts believe that these attacks serve Iran’s long-standing goal of expelling US forces from the Middle East and are not solely motivated by the conflict between Israel and Hamas. The US base at the Jordan border supports around 900 US troops stationed in Syria, and the recent drone attack may have aimed to undermine the US presence in eastern Syria and open arms smuggling routes.
Some US lawmakers have called for aggressive military action, including strikes inside Iran itself, in response to the drone attack. Tehran initially denied involvement in the attack and stated that the militia groups it supports make their own decisions. Iran has also threatened to respond if attacked.
This article has been updated with statements from CENTCOM, President Joe Biden, and additional comments from the White House.