Biden launchs air strikes on Iran-backed forces in Syria

PRESIDENT Joe Biden has undertaken his first military action, launching air strikes against Iran-backed militias in Syria said to have killed up to 22 fighters.

US rockets targeted a border control point used by groups thought to be behind attacks on a US base in northern Iraq earlier this month.

Last night, the Pentagon said the operation ‘sends an unambiguous message’ that president Biden will defend US and Coalition interests in the region.

The White House also confirmed last night that while the US remains open to having diplomatic discussions with Iran, it will not take steps to ease sanctions at this time.

Last night, security expert Colonel Richard Kemp said: ‘President Biden was right to bomb Iranian terrorist proxies in Syria in retaliation for repeated Iranian proxy rocket attacks against US bases in Iraq.

‘This was intended to deter Iran from further attacks. If it does not succeed, Biden should order further attacks. Striking targets in Syria, linked to the attacks in Iraq, will send a warning to Tehran without drawing the beleaguered Iraqi government into this conflict.’

President Biden’s first military intervention came ten days after a local civilian contractor was killed in an attack on Erbil airport. Five other contractors, thought to be IraqiKurds, and a US service member, were also injured.

UK-based monitoring group the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) said the US attack had killed 22 fighters from the Popular Mobilisation Forces, an umbrella group of mostly Shia paramilitaries that includes Kataib Hezbollah.

‘Three lorries carrying munitions were destroyed’, said the SOHR, ‘there were many casualties’.

US government sources insisted Friday’s strike was a ‘proportionate military response’ taken alongside diplomatic measures.