President Biden Orders Extensive Air Strikes in Iraq and Syria to Address Security Threats

In a retaliatory strike, the U.S. military targeted numerous sites in Iraq and Syria used by Iranian-backed militias and the Iranian Revolutionary Guard. The attack was in response to a drone strike that killed three U.S. troops in Jordan. Over 85 targets at seven locations were hit, including headquarters, intelligence centers, storage sites, and other facilities connected to the militias or the IRGC’s Quds Force. President Joe Biden made it clear that there will be more strikes to come. The U.S. strikes avoided directly targeting Iran or senior leaders of the Revolutionary Guard Quds Force within its borders. The impact of the strikes is uncertain, as militia members may have scattered into hiding after days of warnings. While one Iran-backed militia, Kataib Hezbollah, announced a suspension of attacks on American troops, others have vowed to continue fighting. The U.S. strikes were a “tiered response” over time, according to Biden. The targets were carefully selected to avoid civilian casualties, but it is unclear if any militants were killed. Syrian state media reported casualties, and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights claimed that 18 militants were killed in the Syria strikes. The Iraqi government condemned the strikes, considering them a violation of Iraqi sovereignty. The assault took place hours after the remains of the three Army Reserve soldiers were returned to the U.S. at Dover Air Force Base. Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi warned of a strong response to any U.S. strikes targeting its interests. Some Iran-backed militias have suspended military operations, while others have vowed to continue fighting. The U.S. has blamed the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, a coalition of Iran-backed militias, for the attack in Jordan. Iran-backed militia groups have intensified their assaults on U.S. and Israeli interests in the region. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin emphasized the dangerous situation in the Middle East and stated that the U.S. will take all necessary actions to defend its interests. Since October 18, Iran-backed militia groups have launched 166 attacks on U.S. military installations. The attack on Tower 22 in Jordan, which led to the deaths of three service members, was the first to result in U.S. combat deaths from the Iran-backed militias since the war between Israel and Hamas began. The U.S. has increased defenses at Tower 22 and conducted self-defense strikes in Yemen against Houthi military targets.