US Retaliates with Massive Airstrikes on Iran-Backed Militants in Iraq and Syria

Over 80 Targets Hit in Response to Deadly Drone Strike on American Base

In a significant escalation of tensions, the US Air Force launched a massive airstrike on Iran-backed militants in Iraq and Syria, hitting over 80 targets with more than 125 bombs. This retaliatory action follows a deadly drone strike on a US military base in Jordan, resulting in the tragic loss of three U.S. service members.

Highlights from the Retaliatory Strikes:

1. Show of Force: The US has unleashed a wave of airstrikes targeting more than 85 sites linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Quds Force and its proxies, according to US Central Command.
2. Response to Deadly Drone Attack: The strikes are a direct response to the drone strike that killed three US service members and wounded several others at Tower 22, a military base near Amman.
3. President Biden’s Warning: President Joe Biden issued a stern warning to Iran and its allies, emphasizing that the United States does not seek conflict but will respond to any harm inflicted on Americans.
4. Precision Strikes: The US military claims that the strikes were precise, hitting command and control centers, intelligence facilities, rocket and missile launchers, drone storages, and logistics and munition depots belonging to the militia groups and their IRGC sponsors.
5. Casualties and Destruction: The strikes reportedly killed at least 18 Iran-backed fighters and destroyed at least 26 important sites in eastern Syria, spanning from Deir ez-Zor to Albu Kamal, near the Iraq border.
6. Condemnation from Iraq: The strikes hit Iraqi border areas, prompting condemnation from the Iraqi government, which deemed them a violation of sovereignty and a threat to regional stability.
7. Denial of Escalation: US officials deny any intention to escalate the conflict with Iran, emphasizing that there is no plan to bomb Iran, despite the allegations surrounding the Tower 22 attack.
8. Iran’s Warning: Iran warns the US against launching direct strikes on its territory, vowing to retaliate with force if such actions occur.
9. Continued Response: The US emphasizes that these strikes are only the beginning of its response, with more actions planned to hold the IRGC and its militias accountable for their attacks on US and coalition forces.
10. Defense Secretary’s Statement: US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin states, “This is the start of our response. The president has directed additional actions to hold the IRGC and affiliated militias accountable for their attacks on US and coalition forces. These will unfold at times and places of our choosing.”

As the situation develops, the international community closely watches the evolving dynamics in the Middle East, anticipating further developments and potential ramifications.