U.S. air strikes hit Iran backed militias in Syria
With US President Joe Biden's directions, air strikes were conducted in two locations in Syria and in Iraq.Mr. Biden had directed further action to deter the attacks alleged by the U.S., Mr. Kirby said. The Biden administration has already conducted air strikes against facilities used by Iran-backed militias to conduct drone attacks against American personnel and facilities in Iraq. "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. We are in Iraq at the invitation of the Government of Iraq for the sole purpose of assisting the Iraqi Security Forces in their efforts to defeat ISIS."Mr. Kirby said. "As a matter of international law, the U.S. acted pursuant to its right of self-defense. The strikes were both necessary to address the threat and appropriately limited in scope,” he said.
The Syrian Observatory said that seven militia members were killed.Also,the BBC reported that Sana, Syrian state media, saying three civilians and a child were killed in the strikes.
The strikes has come at a significant time in Iran and in Iran-U.S. relations. On Monday, Mr. Biden will welcome President Reuven Rivlin of Israel — a very close ally of the U.S. and a major rival of Iran. The two are highly expected to discuss negotiations for the U.S. and Iran to re-engage in the Iran nuclear deal or the JCPOA (the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action), a move opposed by Israel. This indeed will be watched by geo-politicians across the globe.
Sources-THE HINDU
Pic Credit-GOOGLE