The United States launched attacks against 85 sites used by Iranian forces in Iraq and Syria on Friday, Feb. 2. The attack against the sites was in retaliation for the killing of three US soldiers in Jordan the week prior.
US military forces particularly attacked sites that included command and control operations, intelligence centers, rockets and missiles and drone storage sites.
This attack comes only one week after three US soldiers were killed and over 40 were wounded in a drone attack at Tower 22 in Jordan. Syrian officials reported that the strikes killed and injured people, but the exact number of those involved is not yet known. Iran has also distanced themselves from the Houthis, expressing that they act on their own terms without government control.
Biden wants to reassure the people that he does not seek conflict in the Middle East, but will continue the attacks at designated times in order to send a message to the attackers. Biden is also attempting to prevent the Israel-Hamas war from spreading into a major conflict during this election season.
Iran denied involvement in the attack in Jordan, and is also trying to avoid a large-scale conflict in the Middle East. Despite this, Houthi forces in Yemen have continued to attack commercial ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, and vow to continue unless Israel stops the attack in Gaza. Houthi official Mohammed al-Bukhaiti has consistently pleaded with Israel to end the genocide in Gaza, and swears that the aggression against Yemen from America and Britain will not go unanswered.
The Iraqi army has condemned the US for the decision, and believes that the attack is a violation of Iraqi sovereignty. Iraqi officials have been attempting to stop the militias from their attacks, but have also demanded the exit of the 2,500 US troops who are in the country for an international coalition to fight the Islamic State group. It will reportedly take years to reel back the coalition’s presence in the Middle East.
As a result of the conflict with the Houthis, the US has also shot down many drones and missiles, and continues to carry out strikes on forces in Yemen.
Britain also assisted in the strikes, using fighter jets to carry out the attack against the Houthis. Both American and British campaigns have made it clear that they wish to stop the attacks in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden by the Houthis. Other countries that support America in the conflict are Australia, Bahrain, Canada, the Netherlands, New Zealand and Denmark.
The conflicts in the Middle East only continue to rise amongst these nations, especially after the start of the Israel-Hamas war on Oct. 7, 2023. Despite these nations wishing to avoid a war and large conflicts, the attacks continue, with no possible end in sight.
