Decisive US air strikes target Iran-backed militias in Syria and Iraq following a lethal drone assault.
The United States launched airstrikes against Iranian forces and allied militias in Iraq and Syria as a response to a drone attack that killed three US soldiers in Jordan last week. The operation was conducted by long-range bombers flown from the US, targeting Iran's Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Quds Force and affiliated militia groups. President Joe Biden stated that he had ordered the strikes on facilities used by the IRGC and affiliated militias to attack US forces, emphasizing that the US does not seek conflict but will respond to harm against Americans.
The strikes hit more than 85 targets in Syria and Iraq, including command and control operations, intelligence centers, and logistics facilities of the militia groups and their IRGC sponsors. The impact of these strikes on the militias is still being assessed, with many having evacuated bases or gone into hiding following US warnings of a response. This action marks a significant escalation in the regional power struggle between the US and Iran.
Additionally, the US Treasury imposed fresh sanctions on a network of four companies based in Iran and Hong Kong involved in providing materials and technology for Iran's ballistic missile and unmanned aerial vehicle programs. These sanctions also targeted six officials of the IRGC's Cyber-Electronic Command for malicious cyber activities against critical infrastructure in the US and elsewhere. This move reflects ongoing efforts to counter Iran's military capabilities and support for militant groups across the Middle East.
These developments are part of a broader series of military and diplomatic actions by the US in response to increased attacks by Iran-linked militias and other groups in the region, particularly in the wake of the Israel-Hamas conflict. The situation remains fluid, with both sides showing a mix of aggressive posturing and calls for de-escalation, highlighting the complex dynamics at play in the Middle East.
