On Friday, February 2, the United States launched retaliatory strikes targeting the al-Quds force, the foreign operations branch of Iran's Revolutionary Guards, and personnel from pro-Iranian groups in Iraq and Syria. Three American soldiers killed in Jordan have been repatriated to the United States, the US military's Middle East Command (CENTCOM) announced.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (OSDH) said at least eighteen pro-Iranian fighters, including five in Syria's Deir Ezzor, were killed in the thirty-minute airstrikes in eastern Syria and western Iraq.
Joe Biden vowed to respond to a deadly drone strike near the Syrian border on Sunday, January 28, which Washington blamed on Iran-backed groups. “Our response began today. It will continue as scheduled and at locations we determine.”The president said on Friday. “America does not want conflict in the Middle East or anywhere else in the world. But let those who wish us harm know this well: If you touch an American, we will respond.He further pointed out in a press release that the bodies of three slain US soldiers were recovered hours after they were seen.
The US executive indicated that the retaliatory measures would be multiple and spread over time against different targets.
Eighty-five target sites
For his part, the Iraqi prime minister's military spokesman, General Yehia Rasool, criticized Mohammad Zia al-Saudani in a press release. “Violation of Sovereignty” Following these airstrikes, Iraq. He said he was afraid of the consequences “Disastrous for the security and stability of Iraq and the region”.
Strikes “Includes over 125 precision munitions”In its statement, Centcom noted that they targeted more than 85 sites, including command and intelligence centers, as well as drone and missile storage infrastructure belonging to militants and Iranian forces. “Who Executed Attacks on US and Coalition Forces”, including Sunday. The Pentagon said the strikes mobilized a large number of warplanes, including long-range bombers.
“The headquarters of the armed forces in Al-Qaim area was targeted, initial reports suggest that it is a small arms depot”, an Iraqi interior ministry official told Agence France-Presse, speaking on condition of anonymity. An official from Hahad al-Saabi, the coalition of former paramilitary forces that unites these pro-Iran factions, confirmed the strike and another bombing targeting a site further south in the al-Aghazad region.
severe pressure
On the tarmac of Dover Army Base (Delaware), the U.S. military took action on a day of tributes to three slain soldiers. The bodies of William Jerome Rivers, Kennedy Lawton Sanders and Brona Alexandria Moffett from the US state of Georgia were taken one by one from a loaded military transport plane in American flag-draped coffins. The 81-year-old president remained motionless in the cold air, his hand over his heart and his gaze straight ahead as bodies passed by.
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The Democrat, campaigning for a second term, faces intense pressure from his Republican opponents to respond strongly to Iran.
Former President Donald Trump, the favorite for his party's nomination, has already attacked him “Weakness” Since the start of the war between Israel and Hamas, US forces have faced several attacks in the Middle East, from his Democratic opponent. However, Joe Biden reiterates that he does not want regional expansion or open conflict with Iran.
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