The White House announced that the United States conducted a series of airstrikes in Iraq and Syria targeting facilities used by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and the militant groups they sponsor. According to National Security Council spokesman John Kirby, the airstrikes occurred over a period of about 30 minutes and targeted a total of seven facilities, with three in Iraq and four in Syria.
Kirby stated that the airstrikes involved numerous aircraft, including B-1 bombers, and more than 125 precision guided munitions were used in the operation. The targeted facilities included command and control centers, headquarters buildings, intelligence centers, as well as rocket, missile, and drone storage facilities, and logistics and ammunition supply chain facilities. The decision to target these specific facilities was based on clear evidence linking them to attacks on US personnel in the region. Kirby emphasized that the targets were carefully selected to avoid civilian casualties.
The Department of Defense is currently conducting a battle damage assessment, but Kirby expressed confidence that the strikes were successful. While the exact number of militants killed or wounded is unknown, Kirby reassured that US aircraft are now out of harm’s way. Interestingly, the US did not inform Iraq of the strikes before carrying them out.
Kirby stressed that the US is not seeking war with Iran and mentioned that there has been no communication with the country since three US service members were killed in Jordan on Sunday. The US’s decision to conduct these airstrikes reflects the ongoing tensions between the two countries and the continued efforts to protect US interests in the region.
The airstrikes serve as a clear message to Iran and its affiliated groups about the US’s willingness to take decisive action to protect its personnel and interests in the Middle East. However, the situation also raises concerns about the potential for further escalation of hostilities and the impact on regional stability. The coming days and weeks will be critical in determining the long-term implications of these strikes and the response from Iran and its allies.