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| White House waited for GOOD WEATHER to launch strikes on Iraq and Syria to avoid 'unnecessary casualties': B-1 bombers flew from US and dropping 125 missiles on seven targets in 30 minute blitz deemed a 'success' | ||
| 2024-02-03 | ||
[Daily Mail, where America gets its news]
The Pentagon unleashed its first wave of bombs on Iranian-backed militias on Friday because the clear skies provided an accurate target, with 85 targets being hit in Iraq and Syria during the course of a 30-minute raid. Seven separate facilities - four in Syria and three in Iraq - were struck by the B1 bombers, which flew directly from the United States, refueling mid air. Iraq was warned in advance, said John Kirby, spokesman for the National Security Council, but Iran - which supports and arms the militias - was not. distinction without a difference. Douglas Sims, the director of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said that the strikes were ordered because the weather was in their favor. The bombs can be dropped when there is cloud cover, but the U.S. waited until the skies were clear in 'an interest of ensuring that we're hitting all the right targets,' said Sims. He said the U.S. was looking to avoid 'unnecessary casualties' - but they did expect militants in the seven facilities to have been killed. Footage shared on social media showed a series of explosions in the city of Al-Qaim: the first explosions from the U.S. bombs, and then the secondary explosions from the munitions detonating. The mayor of Al-Qaim, Turki Al-Mahalawi, said the strikes hit three houses used as weapon warehouses by the PMU - al Hashed al Shabi, also known as the Popular Mobilization Units (PMU). The PMU is backed by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, and is believed by Washington to be responsible for many of the 165 attacks launched since October 7 on U.S. sites and personnel in the region. Yahya Rasool, spokesperson of Iraq's Armed Forces, said the strikes were a 'violation of Iraqi sovereignty.'
Mulroy said he believed it is unlikely many Iranian soldiers would have been killed because Iran had time to move its personnel out of harm's way - likely a deliberate move by the U.S. to avoid unnecessary escalation. The New York Times reported that a site in the Iraqi city of Akashat was also hit, describing the target as a command headquarters of the PMU. The PMU is just part of a coalition of Iran-backed groups which call themselves the 'Axis of Resistance', and claim they are attacking U.S. targets in response to Washington's support for Israel's action in Gaza. Joe Biden on Friday said that the airstrikes were just the beginning. The operation was over in 30 minutes. 'Initial indications are we hit exactly what we meant to hit, with a number of secondary explosions associated with the ammunition and logistics locations,' Douglas Sims said. 'We know that there are militants that use these locations. 'We made these strikes tonight with an idea that there would likely be casualties associated with people inside those facilities.' Senator Jack Reed, the chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said he endorsed the strikes. 'This was a strong, proportional response,' said Reed, a Democrat representing Rhode Island. 'In fact, the 85 targets struck tonight mark a greater number than the prior administration. Iran's proxy forces in Syria and Iraq have been dealt a significant blow, and Iranian-linked militias around the Middle East should understand that they, too, will be held accountable.' | ||
| Posted by:Skidmark |
| #14 How about: In exchange for a cease-fire, we will work to have a recognized Paleostine, but we need some fireworks to make it look good for us. Or, we can return in force and bomb the snot out of you and start a general conflict neither of us will win, but we will endure far better than you will. |
| Posted by: swksvolFF 2024-02-03 13:04 |
| #13 are so afraid to give Sorry for the sloppiness. This laptop's ergonomics leave a lot to be desired. |
| Posted by: Abu Laptop (same as Abu Uluque but on a different computer.) 2024-02-03 12:01 |
| #12 The great mystery here is why Joe Biden (and his puppet masters) are so afraid the give the Iranian Mad Mullahs the damn good whacking they so richly deserve. There must be some reason and almost certainly it has something to do with the fact that he is evil and corrupted. But what, exactly, is it? |
| Posted by: Abu Laptop (same as Abu Uluque but on a different computer.) 2024-02-03 11:59 |
| #11 Joe didn't want to reign on a sunny day. |
| Posted by: Skidmark 2024-02-03 11:16 |
#10 Tryna make Code Pink relevant again:
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| Posted by: badanov 2024-02-03 10:59 |
| #9 distractions. iran is the enemy occupy chah baldar |
| Posted by: irish rage boy 2024-02-03 10:34 |
| #8 ^^^ I like that |
| Posted by: Chris 2024-02-03 10:28 |
#7
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| Posted by: badanov 2024-02-03 10:07 |
| #6 Accident or on purpose, seems to be a lot of arrows supporting Chris' statement. Is there a model of a modern major General Mills on the phone? |
| Posted by: swksvolFF 2024-02-03 09:52 |
| #5 Senator Jack Reid: The mouse that roared. |
| Posted by: Huputle Cherelet4131 2024-02-03 09:30 |
| #4 Not because they didn't have enough hardware locally? (Having used up a bunch on the Houthis) |
| Posted by: Bobby 2024-02-03 09:07 |
| #3 /\ Yes, advance notification provided. The IRGC leadership will live to fight another day, as planned. 'Say nothing before or after' rule ignored. |
| Posted by: Besoeker 2024-02-03 08:33 |
| #2 ^There was a time, I'd scoff at you, Chis. |
| Posted by: Grom the Reflective 2024-02-03 08:32 |
| #1 Bad weather my ass, waited for the Iranians to get the IRGC commanders out of the way. There fixed that headline for ya |
| Posted by: Chris 2024-02-03 08:31 |