The United States is attacking Iranian-backed militants along the Iraq-Syria border

Pentagon Secretary of State John Kirby has accused President Biden of directing airstrikes on Iranian-backed militant groups on the Iraq-Syria border in response to drone strikes. In a statement Sunday.

details: Kirby said US strikes were legitimate and that defensive measures were being taken, with US military forces conducting “defensive precision airstrikes” against facilities used by Iranian-backed militant groups in the region on Sunday evening.

• “Targets were chosen because these facilities are being used by Iranian-backed militants who have been involved in drone strikes against U.S. personnel and facilities in Iraq,” he said.
• “In particular, the United States is attacking operational and weapons storage facilities targeted at two locations in Syria and one in Iraq, both close to the border between those countries. .SS) used these facilities. “

Messaging: Pentagon spokesman CMDR Iran-backed militants have “carried out at least five one-way UAV attacks on facilities used by US and allied personnel in Iraq and ongoing rocket attacks against US and allied forces since April,” Jessica McNaldy said in an email statement.

• “Strikes are necessary, appropriate and deliberate, and they are designed to control the increased risk,” he added.

“In these and other ways, we seek to clarify the serious consequences of continued attacks by Iranian and Iranian-backed militant groups, or to arm, finance and train militant groups attacking our own people. We will take necessary and appropriate action to protect US personnel, allies and allies in the region. Activities. “

– McNaldy

• Biden Said in February When he led US military forces to strike pro-Iranian militant groups, he wanted to warn the Iranian government that it could not “act without punishment.”

Note: McNaldy said it would be too soon to assess whether any accidents had occurred.

• The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said on the Syrian border that “at least five Iranian-backed Iraqi militants have been killed and many more wounded in US warplane strikes.” To AFP.

Large image: Air strikes a Time of high tension The United States and Iran are in talks to return Tehran to the 2015 nuclear deal.

Must See: Senators Will consider withdrawing The move was approved by the Council earlier this month in the 2002 Unauthorized Use of Military Force in Iraq (AUMF).

• After returning to the White House on Sunday evening from a weekend in Camp David, Biden declined to comment to reporters on recent airstrikes, saying: “I’ll talk to you tomorrow.” CNN notes.

Editor’s note: This article has been updated with new details throughout.