U.S. Launches Military Airstrikes Against Iranian-Backed Militants In Syria

Feb 26, 20210

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Shattered glass is on the ground following a rocket attack in Irbil, the capital of the northern Iraqi Kurdish autonomous region, on Feb. 15. On Thursday, the U.S. launched airstrikes targeting Iranian-backed groups in eastern Syria in response to recent attacks against Americans in Iraq. Safin Hamed/AFP via Getty Images

The U.S. launched airstrikes in Syria on Thursday targeting Iranian-backed militia groups in the first known offensive military operation carried out by the Biden administration.

The Department of Defense said the strikes are a response to recent rocket attacks against Americans in Iraq, including one in which a civilian contractor working with American forces was killed and several U.S. service members were injured. Officials believe the Feb. 15 attack in Erbil, Iraq, was conducted by Shia militants.

Pentagon press secretary John Kirby in a statement called the U.S. operation a "proportionate military response."

https://www.npr.org/2021/02/25/971611130/u-s-launches-military-airstrikes-against-iranian-militants-in-syria?utm_source=npr_newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=20210225&utm_term=5203817&utm_campaign=breaking-news&utm_id=48780983&orgid=309