'Just the beginning': US carries out retaliatory strikes against Iranian-backed militias in Iraq and Syria

“This afternoon, at my direction, U.S. forces struck targets at facilities in Iraq and Syria that the IRGC and affiliated militias use to attack U.S. forces,” Biden said in a statement.

The United States has carried out a series of airstrikes on Iranian-backed militias in Iraq and Syria. These attacks were carried out in retaliation for a drone strike that resulted in the deaths of three American soldiers in Jordan. However, it is important to note that no targets in Iran have been hit, despite calls for such action. These initial attacks are just the beginning, as the US has stated that more retaliation will follow.

The decision to carry out these airstrikes came shortly after the arrival of the bodies of the three US personnel killed in the drone strike. President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden joined the families of the fallen soldiers at a military base in Delaware for a dignified handover ceremony. Although the strikes took place shortly after this solemn event, news reports suggest that they were not directly linked.

In a statement, President Biden confirmed that he had ordered strikes on facilities in Iraq and Syria used by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and its affiliated militias to attack US forces. He emphasized that this was just the beginning of the response and that future actions would be carried out at the discretion of the US.

“This afternoon, at my direction, U.S. forces struck targets at facilities in Iraq and Syria that the IRGC and affiliated militias use to attack U.S. forces,” Biden said in a statement, referring to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

He added: “Our response started today. It will take place at times and places of our choosing.”

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin also issued a separate statement saying these attacks marked the beginning of the US response. He further mentioned that the President had led additional actions to hold the IRGC and affiliated militias accountable for their attacks on US and coalition forces. “This is the beginning of our response. The President has ordered additional actions to hold the IRGC and affiliated militias accountable for their attacks on U.S. and coalition forces. These will unfold at times and places of our choosing.”

The US Central Command, responsible for carrying out the retaliatory strikes, reported that a total of 85 targets had been hit. These targets included the IRGC's Quds Force, which is known for waging unconventional warfare and running militias to serve its interests abroad. The US used long-range B-1 bombers to carry out the air strikes as these aircraft have the ability to carry a significant volume and quantity of ammunition.

The facilities targeted in the attacks included command and control centers, intelligence centers, missile and missile storage, unmanned aerial vehicle storage, as well as logistics and ammunition supply facilities. These facilities were owned by various militia groups and their IRGC sponsors.

As tensions between the US and Iran continue to escalate, it remains to be seen how Iran will respond to these airstrikes. The US has made it clear that it is not seeking war with Iran, which is likely why targets inside Iran have not been included in the attacks. The coming days and weeks will reveal the full extent of the US response and the impact it will have on the region.