Retaliatory Strikes in Iraq and Syria by US

Paresh Jadhav

11 months ago

Strikes were conducted against 85 locations in both countries using numerous aircraft, including long-range bombers flown from the US. According to US Central Command, targets were selected based on intelligence that linked them with attacks against US forces.

Iraq’s government claimed the strikes violated its sovereignty and reiterated its refusal to let its lands become arenas for settling scores. Meanwhile, Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported 18 militia members were killed.

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Airstrikes hit Iran-backed militias

As a response to an attack that killed three Americans in eastern Iraq, the US launched a broad air strike targeting sites associated with Iran-backed militias in Iraq and Syria. According to Pentagon estimates, over 80 targets had been struck using “over 125 precision munitions”. These attacks targeted facilities used by Popular Mobilization Forces (PMU), an umbrella group for state security forces which include Iranian-linked militias; furthermore the US said facilities associated with Tehran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps were also part of their targets list.

The Pentagon stated its strikes were carried out based on evidence linking PMU locations and attacks against American service members in Iraq, where attacks from predominantly Shiite militia tied to Iran had directly attacked American service members. Pentagon Spokesman Lt. Gen. Douglas Sims stated the strikes were carried out “with the expectation that there may be casualties associated with individuals present” at such locations, though provided no further details or further statements from Central Command regarding how long-range bombers from US soil participated in these strikes.

Iraqi military spokesman Yahya Rasool said the U.S. strikes violated Iraqi sovereignty

The strikes targeted Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps sites used by militia groups affiliated with them against US personnel, according to Pentagon. Over 125 precision munitions were employed and Lt. Gen. Douglas Sims, director of operations for the joint chiefs of staff emphasized that targets were chosen based on “clear and irrefutable evidence”.

Yahya Rasool, spokesperson for Iraq’s Prime Minister’s Office, strongly denounced U.S. attacks as violations to Iraqi sovereignty, with potentially hazardous repercussions for security and stability. In particular, he complained about one strike hitting facilities belonging to Iranian-backed militias that form part of Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces coalition in al-Qaim city.

Rasool announced he will demand an apology from President Biden, as earlier that day he joined military families of three soldiers who died to watch them arrive at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware.

Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani said the U.S. attacks were “another adventurous and strategic mistake”

Airstrikes conducted on facilities associated with Iran’s Quds Force and militia groups it sponsors across Iraq and Syria were targeted, according to CENTCOM. These included command and control operations, intelligence centers, weapons storage sites for unmanned aerial vehicle storage as well as logistics/munition supply chain infrastructure used by Iran-sponsored militias to attack U.S. and coalition forces in both countries, according to CENTCOM.

Some Republicans had called for more targeted strikes inside Iran itself; this may be part of an overall plan designed to send a clear message without creating further regional instability.

Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman described the attacks as an “another adventurous and strategic mistake by the United States, leading to further tension and instability in the region.” Baghdad summoned U.S. Ambassador Richard Hertling in protest, with Iraq’s prime minister’s office reporting 16 deaths due to these strikes – many being civilians.

Syria’s state media said 18 people were killed

The United States military launched more than 85 strikes against sites in Iraq and Syria believed to be associated with Iran-backed militias or Iran Revolutionary Guard Corps’ expeditionary Quds Force, an arm that handles Tehran’s relations with regional militias. They also targeted drone, missile and rocket storage sites. Airstrikes lasting approximately 30 minutes used a B-1 bomber with over 125 precision guided munitions according to John Kirby from National Security Council spokesman John Kirby.

Kirby stated that the strikes were conducted to minimize civilian casualties. Targets were selected based on intelligence suggesting they linked with attacks against U.S. personnel.

Iraq’s government condemned the attack and summoned the U.S. charge d’affaires to lodge formal protest. A statement from Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani’s office called it an aggression against Iraqi sovereignty; they further added that their land won’t be used as an arena to settle scores; further stressing their refusal to participate in international conflicts.