US airstrikes facilities on Iraq-Syria border
The United States has conducted airstrikes targeting facilities of pro-Iranian paramilitary militias in the Iraq-Syria border area, according to a statement from the US Department of Defense posted on the Pentagon website.
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| The aftermath of the US airstrike in Syria in February. Photo: AFP |
“At the direction of President Joe Biden, the US military conducted airstrikes against Iranian-backed militias in the Iraq-Syria border area, which have carried out drone attacks against US personnel and facilities in Iraq,” the US Department of Defense said.
Specifically, the US attacked facilities and weapons depots at two locations in Syria and one in Iraq. The Pentagon said the locations were used by Iranian-backed rebel groups, including the Kataib Hezbollah and Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada militias.
“President Biden has made clear that he will act to protect American personnel. In light of the ongoing attacks by Iranian-backed militias on U.S. facilities in Iraq, the President has ordered additional military strikes to deter and counter these attacks… The United States has taken necessary, appropriate, and measured actions to reduce the risk of escalation and send a clear and unambiguous signal to deter,” according to the U.S. Department of Defense.
In addition, the Pentagon said the US side acted appropriately in its “right of self-defense” to eliminate the threats. The agency affirmed that the attacks were “limited to the appropriate scope”.
