Cell phone video shows what was left of an abandoned outpost on the Syrian side of the Iraqi border after US air strikes on Thursday. Two F-15 Eagles Drop seven 500-pound bombs, completely destroying nine buildings and damaging two. According to initial reports, one person was killed and three injured.
“I recognize the significance of this operation, being the first of its kind under the new administration,” Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said.
Kirby said Iranian-backed militias used the border post to smuggle weapons into Iraq.
“These structures, again, we had information that gave us confidence. These structures, this site, this compound – because all the buildings were all within one compound – were used by these groups to help move resources, materials and weapons into Iraq. to carry out the attacks, ”Kirby said.
Two weeks ago, US officials say, Iranian-made missiles were fired at a base in Iraq where US troops are stationed. Thursday night’s strike was a message to Iran.
“That is an unambiguously clear message to everyone in the region about what is at stake if you continue to carry out attacks on our people,” Kirby said.
Defense officials say the attack was intended as a one-time attack, but that will depend on how Iran and its allies respond.
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