WASHINGTON, Feb 25 (Reuters) - President Joe Biden on Thursday directed U.S. military air strikes in eastern Syria against facilities belonging to what the Pentagon said were Iran-backed militia, in a calibrated response to rocket attacks against U.S. targets in Iraq.
Attack gives Iran breathing space
The attack on Syria gives the Iranian government some breathing space, as it looks into the February 15 rocket attacks in Iraq. The attack hit the US military base housed at Erbil International Airport. As a result of the attack, a number of US contractors and a US service member were wounded. One non-American contractor was also killed. On February 22, rockets also hit the Iraq Green Zone where the US embassy is housed.
It is unclear who exactly is responsible for the attacks, since the Kataib Hezbollah group, one of the main Iran-aligned Iraqi militia groups, denied responsibility. According to experts, the attacks are being carried out by smaller groups with links to Kataib Hezbollah, giving Iran a way to strike US forces without being held accountable. The most recent strike is just one of the many retaliatory strikes conducted by the US in the region. Under the Trump administration, the most high-profile strike was one that killed Iranian Gen
US strikes Iranian-backed militia facilities in Syria afr.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from afr.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
The United States carried out air strikes authorised by President Joe Biden against facilities belonging to Iranian-backed militia in eastern Syria on Thursday, in response to rocket attacks against U.S. targets in Iraq, the Pentagon said.
U S carries out airstrikes against Iranian-backed militia facilities in Syria: Pentagon reuters.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from reuters.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.