So here we go, continuing US military actions in Syria and Iraq and
preventing any relaxation of tension with Iran. And if you read the below
article, the only problem that the Washington Post sees is that this
prevents the US from focusing its hostilities on China and Russia.
Miriam
Biden administration conducts strike on Iranian-linked fighters in Syria
By
Missy Ryan and
Anne Gearan
Feb. 25, 2021 at 8:37 p.m. EST
The Biden administration conducted an airstrike against alleged
Iranian-linked fighters in Syria on Thursday, signaling its intent to push
back against violence believed to be sponsored by Tehran.
Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said the attack on a border control point in
eastern Syria, the first action ordered by the Biden administration to push
back against alleged Iranian-linked violence in Iraq and Syria, was
"authorized in response to recent attacks against American and coalition
personnel in Iraq, and to ongoing threats."
He said the facilities were used by Iranian-linked militias including Kataib
Hezbollah and Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada.
The operation follows the latest serious attack on U.S. locations in Iraq
that American officials have attributed to Iranian-linked groups operating
in Iraq and Syria. Earlier this month, a rocket attack in northern Iraq
killed a contractor working with the U.S. military and injured a U.S.
service member there.
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"President Biden will act to protect American and Coalition personnel,"
Kirby said in a statement. "At the same time, we have acted in a deliberate
manner that aims to de-escalate the overall situation in both eastern Syria
and Iraq."
A U.S. official, speaking on the condition of anonymity to provide
additional details, said the single strike targeted a cluster of buildings
and was believed to have killed up to a handful of people.
The attack comes just over a month into Biden's term and as he attempts to
open a diplomat door to Iran. Biden has agreed to European-led talks with
Iran about the future of the 2015 international nuclear deal that former
president Donald Trump had renounced.
Iran has appeared to rebuff Biden's initial efforts to resume diplomacy and
for now, the United States remains outside the agreement.
The airstrike appears to be part of a U.S. message to Iran that it cannot
improve its leverage in those talks by attacking U.S. interests, but Biden's
decision to use force may also set back his plan to shift the focus of U.S.
national security away from the Middle East.
Alex Horton contributed to this report.