US Airstrikes on Over 85 Targets in Iraq and Syria - Friday 4:00 PM

US Strikes Over 85 Targets in Iraq and Syria:

The US military recently carried out airstrikes in Iraq and Syria, specifically targeting Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Quds Force and associated militia groups. The strikes, conducted at 4 pm Eastern Time on Friday, hit over 85 locations. These included spots related to command and control operations, intelligence centers, rockets, and missiles, unmanned aerial vehicle storage, as well as logistics and munition supply chain facilities connected to militia groups and the IRGC sponsors.

CENTCOM Statement on U.S. Strikes in Iraq and Syria

At 4:00 p.m. (EST) Feb. 02, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces conducted airstrikes in Iraq and Syria against Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Quds Force and affiliated militia groups. U.S. military forces… pic.twitter.com/HeLMFDx9zY

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) February 2, 2024

Targeting Over 80 Sites in Iraq and Syria Against Iran-Linked Groups:

The US military launched a significant air attack, hitting over 80 targets in Iraq and Syria. The assault, which occurred around midnight local time (4 pm ET), targeted sites associated with Iran-linked militias and Tehran’s Revolutionary Guard. Using more than 125 bombs, the Central Command revealed that this was the initial strike in a series against these groups. The airstrikes unfolded over approximately 30 minutes on a Friday, with three sites hit in Iraq and four in Syria, according to Lt Gen Douglas Sims, the director of the joint staff.

US Responds to Drone Attack That Claimed Lives of Three Troops in Jordan

The US conducted airstrikes as a response to a drone attack that resulted in the deaths of three American troops in Jordan. According to the US, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, a coalition of militias linked to Iran, was held responsible for the weekend attack on the remote Tower 22 logistics base near the Jordan-Syria-Iraq border. The strike occurred at night, hitting living quarters, leading to the death of three US army reservists and injuring over 80 others.

President Biden’s Warning:

After the attacks commenced, President Joe Biden issued a warning that the US would take action if any harm came to an American. In simple terms, he stated, “We don’t want trouble in the Middle East or anywhere else, but if you hurt an American, we will respond.” John Kirby, the White House national security spokesperson, emphasized that the responses started immediately and would continue beyond the initial night.

Sanctions and Charges Unveiled Amidst Airstrikes:

The US has introduced new penalties and charges targeting the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, which seem to align with the recent American strikes. The US Treasury Department has sanctioned six officials involved in the cyber-electronic command of the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps for activities aimed at critical infrastructure. Additionally, they are targeting a network of suppliers linked to providing materials and technology for Iran’s ballistic missile and unmanned aerial vehicle programs. Prosecutors have also seized $108 million linked to an oil laundering scheme, intended to fund the Guards’ elite Quds Force.