US Attacks Iran's "Allied" Militia Zone in Syria 0:52
(CNN) ––
The US Army launched airstrikes on Thursday against a site in Syria, used by two groups of Iranian-backed militias, following rocket attacks on US forces in the region over the past two weeks, according to reported a US official.
These attacks are the first known military action under the presidency of Joe Biden.
The location was not specifically linked to the rocket attacks.
However, it is believed to have been used by Iranian-backed Shiite militias operating in the region.
Attacks, "on the order" of Biden
John Kirby, a Pentagon spokesman, said the attacks were carried out "on the orders of President Biden."
He also noted that they were authorized not only to respond to recent attacks on US and coalition forces, but to deal with "the continuing threats to those personnel."
Kirby said Biden carried out the attacks after consulting with US allies, including coalition partners.
“Specifically, the attacks destroyed multiple facilities located at a border checkpoint used by various Iranian-backed militant groups.
Including Kait'ib Hezbollah and Kait'ib Sayyid al Shuhada, ”Kirbry said.
'The operation sends an unequivocal message.
President Biden will act to protect US coalition personnel.
At the same time, we have acted in a deliberate way that aims to de-escalate the general situation both in eastern Syria and in Iraq.
The site is believed to be used as part of an arms smuggling operation by the militias.
The attacks were carried out to degrade the groups' ability to carry out future attacks, the US official said.
Also, in order to send a message about the recent attacks, the source added.
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The decision to target the site in Syria was made "top-down," a defense official said.
And it was not due to a specific recommendation from the Army.
The attacks come as Washington and Tehran position themselves to negotiate on Iran's nuclear program.
Which could complicate an already fragile process.
What the authorities have said
The United States did not definitively blame any specific group for the rocket attacks.
Nor did he attribute them to any Iranian representative in the region.
But, the government made it clear where they place the responsibility.
Earlier this week, White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki said the United States holds Iran accountable for the actions of its representatives.
On February 15, a rocket attack occurred against coalition forces near Erbil International Airport in Iraqi Kurdistan.
The events claimed the life of a civilian contractor and injured four US contractors and one US service member.
At the time, Psaki said that Biden and the administration "reserve the right to respond in a manner and at a time that we choose."
“We will respond in a calculated manner according to our schedule.
And using a combination of tools, visible and invisible, ”Psaki told reporters.
The comments come a day after Biden spoke with Iraq's prime minister, a discussion that focused primarily on the rocket attacks.
"What we will not do, and what we have seen in the past, is to attack and risk an escalation that favors Iran by further destabilizing Iraq, and that is our priority," added Psaki.
Iran has not claimed responsibility for attacks against the United States
The attacks on the US came amid heightened concern that Iran or its proxies would retaliate to mark the first anniversary of the death of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani in a US offensive.
"We have stated before that we will hold Iran accountable for the actions of its representatives who attack the Americans," State Department spokesman Ned Price said Monday.
And he added that "many of these attacks have used weapons manufactured by Iran and supplied by Iran."
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh denied any link to the February 15 attack in Erbil.
Iran has not claimed responsibility for any of the other attacks.
"While these rumors are strongly rejected, the dubious attempt to attribute them to Iran is also strongly condemned," Khatibzadeh said, according to a Feb. 16 report from Iran's state news agency Mehr.
Airstrikes Iran militias Syria
