Contrary to the emphasis that “this is just the beginning” after the first retaliatory attack on the 2nd,
It seems like the militia is trying to calm down the continued attacks on the U.S. military.
The U.S. Department of Defense announced on the 5th (local time) that it has no plans to prolong retaliatory attacks against Iranian-backed militias in the United States. The U.S. government previously announced that several more attacks would follow immediately after carrying out the first retaliatory attack on the 2nd.
“We are not aiming for an all-out war against Iranian-backed militias in Syria and Iraq,” said Pentagon spokesman Patrick Ryder, according to POLITICO. “We are on a mission to support the elimination of the Islamic State (IS) (in these countries),” he said.
After three people were killed in a militia drone attack on a US military base in Jordan on the 28th of last month, the United States bombed 85 targets in 7 regions of Iraq and Syria in its first retaliatory attack on the 2nd.
A Ryder spokesman said on Thursday that it was “reasonable to believe” there were casualties in the attack, but that he did not know whether any Iranians had died.
Spokesperson Ryder said that after the U.S. retaliatory attack, there were at least two attacks on U.S. troops by Iranian militias, but there were no U.S. casualties.
Meanwhile, another anonymous Ministry of Defense official said that there was another attack on US troops stationed in Syria on the 5th.
Previously, U.S. officials had repeatedly emphasized that retaliatory attacks would continue. John Kirby, spokesman for the White House National Security Council, also said on the 4th, “The attack on the 2nd is only the beginning. He had said there would be further action against the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the groups it sponsors.
White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan also announced on this day that there would be a direct response to Iran if necessary. He said, “I will tell you that if the Iranian government directly responds to the United States, there will be swift and strong retaliation.”
But Ryder said, “The Department of Defense does not anticipate war with Iran.” However, if our military is threatened or attacked, we will respond appropriately,” he said.
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.