Biden on response: Not striking back at U.S. bases by militants, prepared to take further action
U.S. President Joe Biden (photo: Getty Images)
The United States is prepared to take further action to counter threats from the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in Iraq and Syria, states President Joe Biden.
"Militia groups affiliated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) have perpetrated a series of attacks against United States personnel and facilities in Iraq and Syria. Since October 17, 2023, these militia groups have conducted numerous attacks using unmanned aerial systems and indirect fire, injuring several United States service members. A United States contractor suffered a fatal cardiac incident while moving to shelter during one of these attacks," said Biden.
He mentioned that in response to this series of attacks and the threats of future attacks, on the night of October 26, U.S. forces conducted targeted strikes on facilities in eastern Syria. These strikes were intended to deter and were conducted in a manner to minimize the risk of escalation and avoid civilian casualties.
"The United States stands ready to take further action, as necessary and appropriate, to address further threats or attacks," he added.
Attacks on U.S. military bases in the Middle East
According to Pentagon spokesperson Brigadier General Patrick Ryder, from October 17 to 24, U.S. military forces in the Middle East were targeted more than 10 times by drones and rockets while conducting operations in Iraq and Syria. These attacks resulted in injuries to 20 American service members.
White House National Security Council Coordinator John Kirby stated that the United States would respond to the attacks on American military bases in the Middle East at a time of its choosing.
Shortly thereafter, it became known that the U.S. had conducted strikes on two Iranian facilities in Syria in response to a series of attacks by Tehran-backed militants on American military bases in the Middle East.
