U.S. begins retaliatory strikes against Iran-linked targets in Iraq and Syria.

[Social Media]

 

In response to a devastating suicide drone strike that claimed the lives of three American soldiers in Jordan, the U.S. military has executed a series of air and missile strikes against Iranian proxies in Iraq and Syria, marking a significant escalation in tensions. The strikes, comprising over 125 precision munitions, targeted more than 85 locations, including command centers, intelligence hubs, missile facilities, and logistical supply chains used by militia groups and Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

 

The retaliation comes after the deadly January 28th attack on a remote base in Jordan, which resulted in the highest death toll of U.S. troops in the Middle East in over a decade. President Biden, who visited Dover Air Force Base to receive the bodies of the fallen soldiers, stated that the U.S. response had begun and would continue at times and places of its choosing, emphasizing that the nation does not seek conflict but will respond to harm against Americans.

 

The U.S. strikes were carefully chosen to avoid civilian casualties, with seven facilities linked to IRGC and its proxies hit in Iraq and Syria. The Iraqi government was informed before the strikes, and targets were selected based on their role in facilitating attacks against U.S. and coalition forces. The severity of the response indicates a departure from previous limited actions, reflecting the gravity of the January attack.

 

President Biden had telegraphed the strikes in advance, signaling a decisive response to the escalating threats posed by Iranian-backed militias. National Security spokesman John Kirby hinted that these initial strikes might be part of a broader, tiered approach, suggesting multiple actions over time.

 

The retaliatory measures have sparked debates about the next steps, with some advocating for a robust and continuous response. Retired Adm. James Stavridis has called for continuous strikes against proxy targets in Syria and Yemen, urging the U.S. to prepare for a significant cyber attack on Iran's infrastructure.

 

While the U.S. has faced ongoing attacks from Iranian-backed militias in the region, the recent strikes indicate a shift from merely deterring these groups to actively degrading their power. Analysts point out various potential targets, including Iranian Revolutionary Guard bases in Syria and Iranian naval assets, but caution against escalating the conflict into a regional war.

 

As the situation unfolds, the evolving mission for U.S. troops in Iraq and Syria comes under scrutiny. Initially deployed to combat ISIS, the troops have found themselves entangled in a complex web of regional tensions. With the latest strikes, the Biden administration aims to reestablish deterrence and protect American interests in the region. The coming weeks will likely witness diplomatic efforts alongside potential military actions as the U.S. navigates this precarious geopolitical landscape.

 

03.02.24

Source

 

[Tug]

It’s not nice to mess with Uncle Sam or Joe Biden for that matter!

[Skipalongcassidy]

I wonder how long it will take for joe to bungle this one...

[Tug]

18 minutes ago, Skipalongcassidy said:

I wonder how long it will take for joe to bungle this one...

Ask Putin 

[rabas]

The message seems to be look at what we can do.

 

After 140 Iran/proxy strikes on US regional assets in four months, the US destroyed more than 85 Iran IRGC targets in one go. For this, the US included two intercontinental B1-B heavy bombers that can carry 45-68 tons of ordnance flown directly from the US.

 

"Yo Iran, we have 100 B1-Bs, 45 of which are kept in service." 

[rabas]

Statement from Lloyd Austin,

 

"This is the start of our response..."

 

https://twitter.com/BNODesk/status/1753545717266645027

 

[charleskerins]

5 hours ago, Skipalongcassidy said:

I wonder how long it will take for joe to bungle this one...

You mean like he bungled the economy?  Keep wondering 

[charleskerins]

5 hours ago, Tug said:

Ask Putin 

He can't the R's are busy asking him what their next steps should be.

[ThaiFelix]

Good on you Joe, you keep your weapons factories busy.

[Morch]

16 minutes ago, ThaiFelix said:

Good on you Genocide Joe, you keep your weapons factories busy.

 

Iranian sponsored militias attacking USA troops - legit.

USA responding - 'genocide'.

Got to love AN....

[charleskerins]

22 minutes ago, Morch said:

 

Iranian sponsored militias attacking USA troops - legit.

USA responding - 'genocide'.

Got to love AN....

Logic isn't in their repertoire.      They prefer the orange traitor who has meetings with Putin  no interpreter notes.

[charleskerins]

6 hours ago, rabas said:

Statement from Lloyd Austin,

 

"This is the start of our response..."

 

https://twitter.com/BNODesk/status/1753545717266645027

 

"The President  and I "    I don't like that wording.

[FruitPudding]

This is probably the first time in Biden's term I have been pleasantly surprised.

[candide]

7 minutes ago, charleskerins said:

Logic isn't in their repertoire.      They prefer the orange traitor who has meetings with Putin  no interpreter notes.

And at the same time, they also accuse Biden of being weak.

Coherence is also not in their repertoire either

[rice555]

1 hour ago, Morch said:

 

Iranian sponsored militias attacking USA troops - legit.

USA responding - 'genocide'.

Got to love AN....

US/NATO supplying weapons to ukraine ???  55555555555

[Morch]

10 minutes ago, rice555 said:

US/NATO supplying weapons to ukraine ???  55555555555

 

I'm sure you think you had a point.

[illisdean]

Iranian proxies strike a remote US military base in Jordan killing 3 and wounding dozens and feckless weak Biden attacks warehouses, supply chain depots, etc in Syria and Iraq as the world along with Iran has a good laugh at US's pledge to DEI on full display exhibited by their woke tinker toy military. Biden has an eye on his potential election campaign and image now, of course, and also worried about how hitting Iran where needed, will drive up oil prices and annoy China. What a whimpy demented loser. LOL.

 

One only has to recall Biden's stunning albeit humiliating debacle withdrawing from Afghanistan, certainly Xi, Putin, rocket man in NK, the mullah's know all to well Biden is feckless and weak. 

[ozimoron]

8 hours ago, Skipalongcassidy said:

I wonder how long it will take for joe to bungle this one...

 

The rules of the game have already been settled. Iran does not want a war and neither does Israel. Iran apparently did not have strong operational control over the militia. Iran supports a long term objective of wanting Israel and the US out of the ME but it doesn't wants a showdown now. The US has deliberately not attacked Iran directly for this reason. Their response aims to have a strong deterrent as well and a strong message back home. The far right just want to send the bombers into Iran now. They talk a big talk about not wanting to get involved with Russia but when it comes to Iran they are gung ho.

[Morch]

4 minutes ago, illisdean said:

Iranian proxies strike a remote US military base in Jordan killing 3 and wounding dozens and feckless weak Biden attacks warehouses, supply chain depots, etc in Syria and Iraq as the world along with Iran has a good laugh at US's pledge to DEI on full display exhibited by their woke tinker toy military. Biden has an eye on his potential election campaign and image now, of course, and also worried about how hitting Iran where needed, will drive up oil prices and annoy China. What a whimpy demented loser. LOL.

 

One only has to recall Biden's stunning albeit humiliating debacle withdrawing from Afghanistan, certainly Xi, Putin, rocket man in NK, the mullah's know all to well Biden is feckless and weak. 

 

Don't recall Trump doing a whole lot after USA bases were attacked by Iran.

[Trippy]

5 minutes ago, Morch said:

 

Don't recall Trump doing a whole lot after USA bases were attacked by Iran.

According to an unidentified senior U.S. official, sometime after the bombing of Kata'ib Hezbollah in late December 2019, a security briefing was convened at President Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate where he and his advisors, including Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Defense Secretary Mark Esper, and chairman of the joint chiefs of staff General Mark Milley discussed how to respond to Iran's alleged role in sponsoring anti-U.S. attacks in Iraq. Reportedly, the targeted killing of Iranian general Qasem Soleimani, whom U.S. officials regarded as a facilitator of attacks on U.S. personnel in Iraq, was listed as the "most extreme option"[87] of many options on a briefing slide,[88] reflecting an alleged practice among Pentagon officials whereby a very extreme option is presented to presidents so as to make other options appear more palatable.[89][87] Trump chose the option to kill Soleimani, prompting the CIA and other U.S. intelligence agencies that had tracked Soleimani's whereabouts for years to locate him on a flight from Damascus to Baghdad, reportedly to hold meetings with Iraqi militiamen. The air strike would have been called off if Soleimani had been on his way to meet with Iraqi government officials aligned with the U.S

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assassination_of_Qasem_Soleimani#Prelude

[Morch]

2 minutes ago, Trippy said:

According to an unidentified senior U.S. official, sometime after the bombing of Kata'ib Hezbollah in late December 2019, a security briefing was convened at President Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate where he and his advisors, including Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Defense Secretary Mark Esper, and chairman of the joint chiefs of staff General Mark Milley discussed how to respond to Iran's alleged role in sponsoring anti-U.S. attacks in Iraq. Reportedly, the targeted killing of Iranian general Qasem Soleimani, whom U.S. officials regarded as a facilitator of attacks on U.S. personnel in Iraq, was listed as the "most extreme option"[87] of many options on a briefing slide,[88] reflecting an alleged practice among Pentagon officials whereby a very extreme option is presented to presidents so as to make other options appear more palatable.[89][87] Trump chose the option to kill Soleimani, prompting the CIA and other U.S. intelligence agencies that had tracked Soleimani's whereabouts for years to locate him on a flight from Damascus to Baghdad, reportedly to hold meetings with Iraqi militiamen. The air strike would have been called off if Soleimani had been on his way to meet with Iraqi government officials aligned with the U.S

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assassination_of_Qasem_Soleimani#Prelude

 

The attacks on USA bases following that...? Or add that fancy drone the Iranians shot down over the Gulf?

[rice555]

6 minutes ago, Morch said:

 

I'm sure you think you had a point.

Who invited the US to Syria? The US has invaded an other country

to overthrowing an elected government. Supported by all the local

countries except the "one" that's making itself more disliked everyday.

We should stay out of other countries affairs and stop inserting are self half way around the world. You think mashed potato brains is calling the shots?

Did you see the phone call MPB made to the parents of the black.girl that died at the US base in Jorden , Not Syria.

Stop the Madness.

[Morch]

5 minutes ago, rice555 said:

Who invited the US to Syria? The US has invaded an other country

to overthrowing an elected government. Supported by all the local

countries except the "one" that's making itself more disliked everyday.

We should stay out of other countries affairs and stop inserting are self half way around the world. You think mashed potato brains is calling the shots?

Did you see the phone call MPB made to the parents of the black.girl that died at the US base in Jorden , Not Syria.

Stop the Madness.

 

Assad was not supported by all the Arab countries, neighboring or otherwise. Syria was initially suspended from the Arab League, if not mistaken. Other ME countries supplied and supported various groups fighting against Assad's regime.  As for 'elected government' - I doubt you really believe this, or that young  Assad actually generated them inflated support ratings.

 

I don't think you're in a position to call others' mashed potato brains, but up to you.

 

No idea what you're on with the last bit, but I agree with your closing remark. Glad you're taking some time off. Get well soon.

[Yellowtail]

33 minutes ago, Morch said:

 

Don't recall Trump doing a whole lot after USA bases were attacked by Iran.

Toughest sanctions in history, all reversed by Biden.

 

Fortunatly, Solamani's still dead. 

[rice555]

5 minutes ago, Morch said:

 

Assad was not supported by all the Arab countries, neighboring or otherwise. Syria was initially suspended from the Arab League, if not mistaken. Other ME countries supplied and supported various groups fighting against Assad's regime.  As for 'elected government' - I doubt you really believe this, or that young  Assad actually generated them inflated support ratings.

 

I don't think you're in a position to call others' mashed potato brains, but up to you.

 

No idea what you're on with the last bit, but I agree with your closing remark. Glad you're taking some time off. Get well soon.

The relationship with with the Middle Eastern Countries is doing

very nicely, you need to stop with the MSM talking points... ...

I would suggest a larger hat too cover your point. No?  

[Morch]

14 minutes ago, rice555 said:

The relationship with with the Middle Eastern Countries is doing

very nicely, you need to stop with the MSM talking points... ...

I would suggest a larger hat too cover your point. No?  

 

What 'relationship' would you be referencing? What MSM talking points are you on about?

I do have trouble finding proper hats. Got an ugly head. It's very sad.

[Morch]

26 minutes ago, Yellowtail said:

Toughest sanctions in history, all reversed by Biden.

 

Fortunatly, Solamani's still dead. 

 

Timeline. It's a thing.

 

And no, not all of the sanctions were reversed by Biden. That's not true.

[OneMoreFarang]

The same event from another perspective:

Iraq says 16 people, including civilians, killed in ‘new US aggression’ | Israel War on Gaza News | Al Jazeera

 

Iraq says 16 people, including civilians, killed in ‘new US aggression’
In response, Iran-aligned groups say they have attacked US bases in Syria as well as western and northern Iraq.

 

Civilians were among the fatalities, and 25 people were wounded in the bombings that targeted both civilian and security areas, a government spokesperson said on Saturday.

 

...

 

[candide]

37 minutes ago, Yellowtail said:

Toughest sanctions in history, all reversed by Biden.

 

Fortunatly, Solamani's still dead. 

And how did it work? Iran increased its Uranium enrichment program 10fold, and was thrown into the arms of Russia and China.

[riclag]

12 hours ago, Skipalongcassidy said:

I wonder how long it will take for joe to bungle this one...

Joey 2 Scoops already did, by propping up the terrorist supporters, Iran .His administration  and his foreign expertise has failed miserably, again & again.He’s a walking looney tune  !

 

 

“Iran has overseen a range of hardline factions for decades, and these groups have stepped up attacks over the past three months, ever since Hamas, a leading beneficiary of Iranian support, launched its assault on southern Israel on Oct. 7”.

 

https://www.npr.org/2024/01/04/1222880864/after-striking-throughout-the-middle-east-irans-proxies-now-become-the-targets