The U.S. has begun retaliatory strikes on targets in Iraq and Syria after the deaths of three U.S. service members at the hands of Iran-backed militant groups, the Pentagon confirmed.
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces struck more than 85 targets with aircraft, including long-range bombers, hitting Iran’s paramilitary force and groups associated with it, the military said in a statement. Friday’s attacks on targets in Iraq and Syria are the first wave of retaliation for the 3 U.S. service members who died in a drone attack by the self-styled Islamic Resistance in Iran on Sunday, impacting a military base in Jordan.
“At 4:00 p.m. (EST) Feb. 02, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces conducted airstrikes in Iraq and Syria against Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Quds Force and affiliated militia groups,” CENTCOM said. U.S. military forces struck more than 85 targets, with numerous aircraft to include long-range bombers flown from United States.
U.S. assets used more than 125 precision munitions and targeted Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) “command and control operations, centers, intelligence centers, rockets,” drone and vehicle storage sites and supply chain facilities belonging to the groups, CENTCOM said. The groups “facilitated attacks against U.S. and Coalition forces.”
A full spectrum of large-scale counterattacks will likely take place over several days, according to media reports.
President Joe Biden ordered the strikes in response to the attack that struck Tower 22 in Jordan, killing 3 U.S. Army Reserve soldiers and injuring more than 40, Politico reported. (RELATED: Iran-Backed Militant Group Behind Attacks On US Troops Says Its Suspending Operations Ahead Of Potential Retaliation)
President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden attend the dignified transfer of three U.S. service members who were killed in a drone attack in Jordan last week. pic.twitter.com/
8WYunj9GXu — The Recount (@therecount) February 2, 2024
Hours before strikes began, Biden attended a dignified transfer of the three service members killed in Jordan and met their families.
The U.S. has conducted retaliatory strikes several times since the dramatic uptick in Iran-backed attacks on bases hosting U.S. troops Iraq and Syria, which, until Sunday, had not caused fatalities but have wounded dozens of U.S. troops. But the Biden administration has signaled that the coming U.S. retaliation would exceed previous counterattacks in severity.
Biden “believes that it is important to respond in an appropriate way,” National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said on Wednesday. “The first thing you see won’t be the last thing,” Kirby added.
The administration has said it holds Iran accountable for the attacks on U.S. troops, although Iran has denied any association with the attack. However, Tehran funds the groups and provides them with weapons and training. Officials insist the U.S. does not want a war with Iran but will take the necessary steps to protect U.S. forces.
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