February 2, 2024
2 mins read

US carries out multiple airstrikes against Iran-backed militias

These were only the first of retaliatory strikes and more will follow, the US has said.

 In a sharp escalation in hostilities in West Asia, the US carried out multiple airstrikes against Iran-backed militias in Iraq and Syria in retaliation to a drone attack that killed three American soldiers in Jordan.

No targets were struck in Iran as many had called for.

These were only the first of retaliatory strikes and more will follow, the US has said.

The attacks followed the arrival of the bodies of the three American personnel killed in a drone strike by an Iran-backed group. President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden joined the families at a military base in Delaware, his home state, for the dignified transfer as the solemn occasion is called. Although the strikes followed shortly after, news reports suggested they were not linked.

“This afternoon, at my direction, US military forces struck targets at facilities in Iraq and Syria that the IRGC and affiliated militia use to attack US forces,” Biden said in a statement, referring to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps.

He added: “Our response began today. It will continue at times and places of our choosing.”

The US President, who has been under mounting pressure internally to hit Iran, did not explain why the Friday airstrikes did not include targets in Iran, the US is unlikely to take that route because it does not want a war with Iran.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austen said in a separate statement: “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.”

The Central Command of the US military, which carried out the retaliatory attacks, said in a statement that 85 targets were hit and they included the IRGC’s Quds Force, which conducts unconventional warfare that includes running militias to serve its interests abroad. The US used long-range B-1 bombers aircraft that can carry a sizable volume and quantity of munition.

The Central Command said that the facilities that were struck included command and control operations centres, intelligence centres, rockets, missiles, unmanned aerial vehicle storage, and logistics and munition supply chain facilities of militia groups and their IRGC sponsors.

ALSO READ: Red Sea disruption hits manufacturing

Previous Story

Indian-origin barrister appointed to Australian Senate

Next Story

Labour’s new push for support from British Indian voters

Latest from -Top News

Jaishankar Flags Terror Threats at Central Asia Talks

Tajikistan Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Muhriddin, EAM Jaishankar acknowledged the need to combat terrorism External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar held bilateral discussions with his counterparts from Tajikistan and Kazakhstan on Thursday and

Pakistan’s Drug Crisis Deepens

Described as a “hidden epidemic,” the crisis highlights deep-rooted social, economic, and cultural challenges….reports Asian Lite News According to a recent report, Pakistan is in the grip of a growing drug addiction

Yunus denies revoking Bangabandhu’s honour

Bangladesh interim government rejects claims it revoked freedom fighter status of Bangabandhu and Mujibnagar leaders, affirming their honour and recognising all contributions to the Liberation War. The interim government of Bangladesh, led

India rallies the ‘stans

As New Delhi hosts the 4th India-Central Asia Dialogue, growing ties in trade, defence, and diplomacy reaffirm India’s long-standing linkages with the region. India is set to host the fourth meeting of
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Rajnath visits US Naval Warfare Centre

The LCC is one of the world’s largest and most

‘Chinese hackers preparing to wreak havoc on infra’

Wray said that the Chinese government-backed hackers are strategically positioning