US forces have conducted airstrikes in Syria and Iraq, targeting Iranian-backed militants in response to a series of attacks on American military bases in the region.
These strikes come after a deadly attack on a US base in Jordan, near the Syrian and Iraqi borders. According to CNN, this is just the beginning of a larger-scale operation against Iranian-backed militias who have been targeting US troops in the Middle East.
The Pentagon has confirmed that the airstrikes targeted several sites in Iraq and Syria, signifying a significant escalation in the region. The attack on Tower 22 was attributed to the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, a group comprising various militias, including Kataib Hezbollah. The US response is expected to continue over multiple days, as the Biden administration seeks to avoid a broader war with Iran.
Concerns have been raised in recent media reports regarding Biden’s approach, suggesting that he may be revealing his plans too early and allowing militias ample time to prepare, such as by vacating obvious targets. In an attempt to address these concerns, Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin stated on Friday that the administration is not providing Iran with excessive warning. Austin emphasized that the US response will be comprehensive and stressed that both he and Biden will not tolerate any attacks on American troops.
Biden has attributed the supply of weapons used by Islamic militants in over 150 attacks on US forces in the Middle East since the Israel-Hamas war began to Iran. He has faced political pressure to respond forcefully, with Republican lawmakers urging him to launch devastating strikes within Iran.
