Biden Approves Retaliation for Attack on US Military Base in Iraq... First Airstrike on Pro-Iran Militias

Approval of First Military Operation Since Inauguration... Attack Intensity Adjusted
Also a Strategic Show of Force Ahead of Iran Nuclear Deal Negotiations

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] U.S. President Joe Biden has approved a military operation in Syria for the first time since his inauguration, and U.S. forces carried out airstrikes on militia facilities in Syria. This is interpreted as both retaliation for a rocket attack on a U.S. military base in Iraq and a strategic show of force ahead of the Iran nuclear deal negotiations.

On the 25th (local time), according to foreign media including the AP News Agency, John Kirby, spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Defense, stated, "U.S. forces conducted airstrikes on Shiite militia facilities in Syria supported by Iran," emphasizing, "This operation sends a clear message, and President Biden will continue to act to protect the United States and its allies."

This airstrike was the first military operation approved by President Biden since his inauguration and was carried out as retaliation for a rocket attack targeting the U.S. military base in Erbil, located in the Kurdish autonomous region in northern Iraq, on the 15th. The attack resulted in the death of one civilian cooperating with U.S. forces and injuries to eight civilians and one U.S. soldier. Immediately after the attack report, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken issued a statement saying, "We are outraged by the rocket attack and have demanded the Kurdish autonomous government to investigate the facts and identify those responsible."

However, the intensity of this attack is known to have been controlled. Spokesperson Kirby explained, "This airstrike was conducted with the goal of not worsening the overall situation in eastern Syria and Iraq," and did not disclose specific damage caused by the airstrike. The AP News Agency added, "Although the frequency of Shiite militia attacks on U.S. forces has decreased since the rocket attack, the limited retaliation is interpreted as a strategic offensive ahead of the Iran nuclear deal negotiations."