CBS reports citing U.S. officials… “Includes Iranian personnel and facilities.”
“Deciding the timing of air strikes based on the weather to reduce civilian casualties.”
Austin: “We will not tolerate attacks on U.S. troops… We will take all necessary measures.”
Testimony has emerged that the United States has set a target for retaliation for the death of its soldier in an unmanned aerial vehicle (drone) attack in northern Jordan. This airstrike follows the death of three US soldiers in a one-way drone attack at Tower 22, a military base near the Syrian border in northeastern Jordan, on the 27th of last month (local time).
According to CBS on the 1st, U.S. officials confirmed that “plans for several days of airstrikes against targets including Iranian personnel and facilities in Iraq and Syria have been approved.”
Additionally, “Weather will be a major factor in determining the timing of airstrikes. “The United States has the capability to carry out airstrikes even in bad weather, but it prefers to be more observant of its chosen targets to prevent accidental attacks on civilians who mistakenly enter the area at the last minute,” he explained.
U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin told reporters at the Pentagon that day, “The United States will not tolerate attacks against U.S. troops,” and “We will continue to work to avoid a larger conflict in the region.” “However, we will take all necessary measures to defend the United States, our national interests, and our people.”
He said, “We will respond according to the time, place, and method of our choosing,” adding, “Israel’s war against (Palestinian armed political faction) Hamas in the Gaza Strip and attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea by Yemeni Houthi rebels are also taking place in this region. “This is a dangerous moment in the Middle East.”
In addition, “The United States is working to hold the appropriate people accountable without escalating the conflict in the region,” he said. “We will respond at multiple levels (suitable for the situation).” “We have the ability to respond multiple times depending on the situation,” he claimed.
Kataib Hezbollah has not carried out any new attacks since announcing on the 31st of last month that it would suspend military operations against US forces in the region to avoid embarrassing the Iraqi government. However, regardless of this, U.S. officials maintained a resolute attitude toward retaliatory airstrikes.
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.