US President Joe Biden on Friday careworn that the nation would reply “forcefully” to guard its personnel in Syria. The assertion got here as US forces launched airstrikes on websites in Syria being utilized by teams affiliated with Iran’s Revolutionary Guard after a suspected Iranian-linked assault on Thursday killed a US contractor and wounded seven different Americans.
In a press release shared by the White House, President Biden was quoted saying: “I used to be knowledgeable by my nationwide safety group, on the best way over right here, that — about an assault in Syria yesterday. An Iranian-backed militant group used an unmanned aerial automobile to strike one in all our amenities, inflicting a number of American casualties. One of our residents tragically died in that assault.”
“And on the flight up yesterday, I spoke with our nationwide safety group and ordered a right away response.”
ALSO READ | Indian Envoy To US Meets New US Ambassador To India To Discuss Bilateral Partnership
“Last night time, U.S. army forces carried out a collection of airstrikes in Syria concentrating on these chargeable for attacking our personnel.”
“The United States doesn’t — doesn’t, I emphasize — search battle with Iran, however be ready for us to behave forcefully to guard our individuals,” the US President emphasised addressing a joint press convention in Ottawa with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
He added: “That’s precisely what occurred final night time. And we’re going to proceed to maintain up our efforts to counter terrorist threats within the area, in partnerships with Canada and different members of the coalition, to defeat ISIS.”
Biden supplied condolences to the households of the Americans who misplaced their lives and wished a speedy restoration for individuals who are wounded. He additionally thanked the US service members who carried out the retaliatory strikes.
Iran, US Strikes In Syria
While the U.S. and Iran have traded strikes in Syria beforehand, the recent assaults threaten to disrupt current efforts to de-escalate tensions throughout the broader Middle East the place rival powers have made steps towards détente in current days after years of turmoil, the Associated Press reported.
After Biden’s remarks, US officers stated one other service member was wounded on Friday within the newest tit-for-tat strikes in Syria, information company Reuters reported.
On Thursday, Washington blamed a drone of Iranian origin for seven casualties, together with the demise of an American contractor whereas 5 U.S. troops and one other contractor have been wounded within the incident.
U.S. rocket hearth on Friday focused new areas in japanese Syria, Reuters cited two native sources as saying.
The newest tit-for-tat strikes in Syria might worsen already strained relations between Washington and Tehran after makes an attempt to revive a 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and main powers stalled and Iranian drones are being utilized by Russia towards Ukraine.