US Takes Air Strikes in Syria

Defence Department spokesman John Kirby said in a statement that the attacks were undertaken at the order of President Joe Biden.

The “shocks were authorised in response to recent attacks against American and coalition personnel in Iraq and continued threats to that personnel”, the statement said.

Today's blow may be the first action by the United States in response to these attacks.

“Option sends a clear message: President Biden will act to protect American and coalition personnel”, the statement said.

At the same time, the shock was limited and aimed at escalation.

Also, a decision to strike only in Syria and not in Iraq would give the Iraqi government time to conduct its investigation into a February 15th attack that injured Americans.

According to the Pentagon, the attacks destroyed several targets located at a border checkpoint used by a number of groups of Iranian-backed militants.

The United States has undertaken several military attacks in response to recent years.

The rocket attacks against US positions in Iraq were carried out as Washington and Tehran are trying to find ways to return to the 2015 nuclear agreement, which former United States President Donald Trump withdrew.

In the February 15th attack, the missiles hit the US military base at Erbali International Airport in the Kurdish-controlled region, killing a non-American contractor and injuring a number of American contractors and an American soldier. Another blow a few days later targeted a base where American forces take refuge in northern Baghdad, hurting at least one contractor. /voa/