The United States carried out a series of strikes on targets in Syria and Iraq Friday in response to the killing of three U.S. soldiers in Jordan last weekend. U.S. Army Sergeants William Rivers, Breonna Moffett and Kennedy Sanders were killed in an Iranian backed drone strike while sleeping in their barracks. Dozens of others were severely injured. Over the past six months, Iran has carried out hundreds of attacks on U.S. troops in the region and Houthi terrorists have cut off shipping in the Red Sea.
"This past Sunday, three American soldiers were killed in Jordan by a drone launched by militant groups backed by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC). Earlier today, I attended the dignified return of these brave Americans at Dover Airforce Base, and I have spoken with each of their families," President Joe Biden released in a statement Friday. "This afternoon, at my direction, U.S. military forces struck targets at facilities in Iraq and Syria that the IRGC and affiliated militia use to attack U.S. forces. Our response began today. It will continue at times and places of our choosing."
"The United States does not seek conflict in the Middle East or anywhere else in the world. But let all those who might seek to do us harm know this: If you harm an American, we will respond," he continued.
According to defense officials, this is a first round and a broader campaign could be carried out in the coming weeks against Iranian proxies in the region. The strikes, 85 of them, came shortly after the conclusion of the dignified transfer ceremony of Rivers, Moffett and Sanders at Dover Air Force Base Friday afternoon. President Biden was in attendance.
BREAKING: U.S. air strikes underway in retaliation for deaths of three service members in Syria, reports Fox’s @marthamaccallum. pic.twitter.com/kYmJ79pwOv
— TV News Now (@TVNewsNow) February 2, 2024
BREAKING: Fox News’ @JenGriffinFNC: “We can now report that U.S. strikes on both Syria and Iraq have begun — that’s official.” pic.twitter.com/VjprbEQcqP
— TV News Now (@TVNewsNow) February 2, 2024
Several Large Explosions within the last few minutes near IRGC and Iranian-Backed Sites along the Border between Syria and Iraq.
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) February 2, 2024
U.S. Defense Officials have Confirmed that between 8-12 Sites in Eastern Syria and Iraq used by the IRGC and Iranian-Backed Groups have been Targeted by the U.S. Air Force within the last hour.
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) February 2, 2024
In the lead up to the strikes, U.S. officials gave Iranian targets plenty of heads up and notice. IRGC commanders were given ample time to evacuate a number of areas.
Apparently it's no longer a bad thing to warn your enemy in advance about your next military moves. I must have missed that lesson in strategy class. https://t.co/Mtc4jM54Ig
— Walter Russell Mead (@wrmead) February 2, 2024
The Biden administration is leaking questionable intelligence to absolve Iran of killing and wounding dozens of Americans in anticipation of what will be weak, ineffective retaliation. Shameful and cowardly. https://t.co/NSan99nGas
— Tom Cotton (@SenTomCotton) February 2, 2024
Lawmakers on Capitol Hill and others wishing to restore deterrence against Iran are unimpressed.
2) Graham tells Fox “The lapse of time has lessened the impact of deterrence. And by not hitting oil infrastructure in Iran or Revolutionary Guard personnel, you will have failed to make the point.”
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) February 2, 2024
Thanks @marthamaccallum @FoxNews for having me on. I am not sure these attacks will be sufficient enough to restore regional deterrence. pic.twitter.com/d8EeWoNA6e
— Keith Kellogg (@generalkellogg) February 2, 2024
This post has been updated with additional information.