Biden and Austin comment on US strikes in Iraq and Syria - 2/02/2024

[ronscarpa]

Biden and Austin comment on US strikes in Iraq and Syria

Arab And InternationalIraqBreakingSyriaBidenBombingUS Secretary Of Defense

 

2024-02-02 // 14:15

 

Shafaq News / US President Joe Biden said today, Saturday, that he directed his country's forces to target sites belonging to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard and militias loyal to it in Iraq and Syria.

 

Biden said in his statements reported by American media: Based on my orders, strikes were carried out on targets in Iraq and Syria that are used by the Revolutionary Guard and militias loyal to it to strike American forces.

 

He added, "Let all those who may seek to harm us know that we will respond," adding: America does not seek conflict in the Middle East or anywhere else.

 

In turn, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said in a statement today that, based on President Biden’s directives, our forces launched strikes on 7 facilities used by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard and its affiliated militias to attack our forces.

 

He pointed out that this is the beginning of our response, and we do not seek conflict in the Middle East or anywhere else, but we will not tolerate attacks on our forces.

 

The US Army's Central Command reported, early Saturday morning, that its forces launched air strikes in Iraq and Syria, targeting sites of the Quds Force of the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and its affiliated militia groups.

 

The command said in a statement today that US military forces struck more than 85 targets with many aircraft that included long-range bombers launched from the United States.

 

According to the statement, the air strikes used more than 125 precision-guided munitions.

 

The statement explained that the targets included command and control headquarters, intelligence centers, and warehouses for missiles, drones, ammunition, and logistical supplies belonging to the militias and the Revolutionary Guard.

 

An Iraqi military source told Shafaq News Agency that the strikes targeted sites in Anbar Governorate, west of the country, specifically in the “Al-Sakk” area within Al-Qaim District, which is close to the Iraqi-Syrian border.

 

He added that among the strikes was a site containing a warehouse of ammunition, indicating that the targeting was followed by a large explosion of ammunition and weapons.

 

The source also indicated that raids are continuing on the Al-Sakkak area, targeting and destroying more than 4 sites belonging to the Iraqi Hezbollah Brigades.

 

He continued by saying that the army vehicles were withdrawn and the electricity and surveillance cameras were turned off due to the war-like situation within the Al-Qaim area.

 

On Sunday, January 28, the US Army announced that three of its soldiers were killed and dozens wounded in a march attack that targeted a base housing US forces in Jordan.

 

American media reported that the targeted site was “Tower 22”, a small military site in Jordan, near the country’s border with Syria.

 

In response to this attack, American officials said that the United States is considering launching strikes against armed factions in Iraq, Syria, and Iran.

 

US President Joe Biden said, on December 30, that he had made a decision regarding the nature of the response to the Jordan attack, which killed 3 American soldiers and injured more than 30 others.

 

Biden explained that he "made the decision on the nature of the response to the attacks that killed American soldiers in Jordan," adding, "We do not want a broader war in the Middle East."

 

https://www.shafaq.com/ar/عربي-ودولي/بايدن-بنا-على-وامري-ن-ف-ذ-ت-ضربات-على-هداف-بالعراق-وسوريا