The strikes hit buildings in assisic al huri and casabot in syria, with video released showing the buildings in rural areas destroyed by air strikes. The buildings are linked to militias such as khadib hezbollah and kadhib saeed al-shuhada.
The pentagon said in a statement, as demonstrated by this evening's strikes, president biden has been clear that he will act to protect u.s personnel, given the ongoing series of attacks by Iran-backed groups targeting u.s interests in iraq. The president directed further military action to disrupt and deter such attacks.
Pentagon spokesman, John F Kirby said in a statement, the strikes were necessary to address the threat and appropriately limited in scope kirby said The syrian observatory for human rights reported that seven members of a militia were killed, with more sustaining serious injuries. The iraqi government criticized the strikes, with ministry of defense spokesman yahia rasul saying it was a blatant and unacceptable violation of iraqi sovereignty.
White House spokeswoman, Jen Pasaki said that the white house and pentagon notified lawmakers and was in close touch with partners in the region before and after the strikes. It is biden's view that, we should and will take necessary measures to defend u.s personnel, allies and partners in the region she said.
At about 7 45 local time, u.s forces inside syria were attacked by an undisclosed group firing multiple rockets. No one was injured and damaged from the attack is still being assessed, operation inherent resolve spokesman colonel wayne maroto said.
U.S forces in response fired counter-battery artillery fire at the rocket launching positions he said. The strikes come amid discussion on capitol hill on the existing authorizations on the use of military force, and whether the measures should be repealed and replaced to govern military action in the middle east.
Senator Bob Menendez dnj, chairman of the senate foreign relations committee said the strike showed decisive action to protect u.s personnel and interests and his committee will investigate. The strikes in a broader discussion on the 2002 authorization on the use of military force as it relates to combating iranian-backed militia groups.
Some Lawmakers raised concern that the repeated retaliatory strikes, conducted without congressional notification, would now qualify as a pattern of hostilities under the war powers act. Both the constitution and the war powers act require the president to come to congress for a war declaration under these circumstances.
Senator Chris Murphy D Khan, the chairman of the u.s senate foreign relations subcommittee on near east south asia and counter-terrorism said in a statement.
