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US military forces have struck out against more than 85 targets in Iraq and Syria, backed by international allies including Australia.
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An initial salvo of US strikes was conducted on seven facilities in both countries to target Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and affiliated militias, at the direction of US President Joe Biden, over the weekend.
“The Department of Defense is in the early stages of battle damage assessment, but we believe that the strikes were successful,” according to John Kirby, National Security Council strategic communications coordinator.
The strikes, selected at weapons storage facilities and intelligence facilities to avoid civilian casualties, follow an attack against US and coalition forces in Jordan, which killed three US military personnel (Army sergeants William J Rivers, Kennedy L Sanders and Breonna A Moffett) and wounded more than 35 people.
“Our response began today … it will continue at times and places of our choosing,” according to US President Joe Biden.
“The United States does not seek conflict in the Middle East or anywhere else in the world.
“But let all those who might seek to do us harm know this: If you harm an American, we will respond.”
Coalition forces targeted 13 locations associated with the Houthis’ deeply buried weapons storage facilities, missile systems and launchers, air defence systems and radars, according to US Secretary of Defense Lloyd J Austin III.
The strikes are intended to further disrupt and degrade the capabilities of the Iranian-backed Houthi militia to conduct their reckless and destabilising attacks against US and international vessels lawfully transiting the Red Sea, he said.
“This is the start of our response. The President has directed additional actions to hold the IRGC and affiliated militias accountable for their attacks on US and coalition forces,” said US Secretary of Defense Austin.
Following the strikes, a joint statement was released by Australia, Bahrain, Denmark, Canada, the Netherlands, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
“The militaries of the United States and United Kingdom, with support from Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Denmark, the Netherlands, and New Zealand, conducted an additional round of proportionate and necessary strikes against 36 Houthi targets across 13 locations in Yemen in response to the Houthis’ continued attacks against international and commercial shipping as well as naval vessels transiting the Red Sea,” the statement said.
“These precision strikes are intended to disrupt and degrade the capabilities that the Houthis use to threaten global trade, and the lives of innocent mariners, and are in response to a series of illegal, dangerous, and destabilising Houthi actions since previous coalition strikes on January 11 and 22, 2024, including the January 27 attack which struck and set ablaze the Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker M/V Marlin Luanda.
“The Houthis’ now more than 30 attacks on commercial vessels and naval vessels since mid-November constitute an international challenge.
“Recognising the broad consensus of the international community, our coalition of likeminded countries committed to upholding the rules-based order has continued to grow.
“We remain committed to protecting freedom of navigation and international commerce and holding the Houthis accountable for their illegal and unjustifiable attacks on commercial shipping and naval vessels.”
Army Lieutenant General Douglas A Sims II, director of operations for the Joint Staff, said the strikes employed multiple aircraft, including B-1 Lancers that flew from bases in the US.
“This has been in the planning since we were asked to look at it,” Sims said, adding that weather played a factor in the timing of the strikes.
“Good weather presented itself today and, as a result, this took place.
“As President Biden has made clear, we will not hesitate to defend our people and hold responsible all those who harm Americans at a time and place of our choosing.”
