US strikes over 80 Iran-linked targets in response to drone attack in Jordan

The drone attack conducted by Iran-backed militias, which led to the deaths of 3 US soldiers in a remote base in Jordan has led to the United States taking definitive action by conducting bombing raids in Iraq and Syria.

The United States Military made use of its B-1 bomber aircrafts, amongst others, to undertake this bombing campaign, which is said to have targeted more than 80 targets which are linked with Iran or militias in the region which are backed and supplied by the Iranian regime.

The US has also not refrained from highlighting the extensive involvement of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in the recent escalation of tensions in the Middle East, which includes the drone attack in Jordan.

The President of the United States, Joe Biden, issued a statement on Friday, in which he referred to the IRGC, stating the following, “At my direction, US military forces struck targets at facilities in Iraq and Syria that the IRGC and affiliated militia use to attack US forces. Our response began today. It will continue at times and places of our choosing.”

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) has stated that 125 precision munitions were deployed through the course of the bombing campaign, which specifically targeted facilities that have been recognized as command/control operations centers, intelligence centers, weapons storage sites and other facilities that serve Iran-backed militias or the IRGC’s Quds Force.

The IRGC Quds Force is the IRGC’s expeditionary force which undertakes the task of arming militias in the region and maintaining Iran’s relations with such outfits.

This bombing campaign by the United States Military is in response to the fact that the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, which is a coalition of Iran-linked militias, claimed responsibility for the drone attack on US forces in Jordan. The attack left 40 soldiers injured, apart from the 3 that died and was considered a major provocation which could not be ignored.

Despite Iran’s involvement in bolstering these groups being common knowledge, the regime has denied any involvement in the attack and has stated that the groups acted independently.

The Syrian state media termed the bombing campaign by the US as “American Aggression”, while the Iraqi security apparatus admitted to 6 locations having been targeted in the nation.

Yahya Rasool, a spokesperson for the Iraqi military, gave a statement following the bombings, “These airstrikes constitute a violation of Iraqi sovereignty … and pose a threat that could lead Iraq and the region into dire consequences.”

From the perspective of the United States, a protracted conflict in the Middle East seems counterintuitive, which is said to have contributed to the decision of avoiding possible targets on Iranian soil.

Having said that, this particular episode of bombings is being considered by many on both sides as the opening salvo in a more comprehensive campaign against militias in the Middle East which are targeting US security personnel and global shipping passages.

US President Joe Biden stated the following about the nature of the campaign, “The United States does not seek conflict in the Middle East or anywhere else in the world. But let all those who might seek to do us harm know this: if you harm an American, we will respond.”

The Director for Operations on the Joint Staff, Lt Gen Douglas Sims, gave the following statement on Friday, “The initial indications are that we hit exactly what we meant to hit with a number of secondary explosions associated with the ammunition and logistics locations.”

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights estimates that at least 18 Iran-backed fighters have lost their lives during the bombing campaign in Syria itself. The raids which were conducted mostly in Eastern Syria and struck 26 important sites which either housed Iran backed groups or acted as weapons depots for them.

The zone which was targeted, stretches for over 100 kms, from the city of Deir ez-Zor to Albu Kamal, near the Iraq border.

Lloyd Austin, the US defense secretary, stated the following on Friday, “This is the start of our response. The president has directed additional actions to hold the IRGC and affiliated militias accountable for their attacks on US and coalition forces. These will unfold at times and places of our choosing.”

President Biden has admitted publicly that he holds Iran responsible for the attacks on US Military Personnel and assets in the region as it supplies weapons and ammunition to the militias that have conducted said attacks.

Despite this, multiple sources within the United States camp have stated that there are no plans in place currently to attack Iran directly.

Many members of the US Republican party are seeking a more powerful response from the United States Military, which would include an attack on Iran directly. This is being seen as a step which would lead to a rapid escalation in the conflict in the Middle East, by pitting the United States in a direct conflict with Iran.

This possibility has the potential to bolster the Russian cause in Ukraine and give China the leverage to attack Taiwan, which would split the resources and military might of the United States and most likely bring about the start of a wider conflict around the world.

Thus, while the United States pursues active measures against militias in the Middle East, it must maintain an awareness of the consequences of being involved directly or indirectly in several conflicts around the world simultaneously.