Russia Criticizes US Retaliatory Strikes on Militant Groups in Iraq and Syria

Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, condemned the US retaliatory strikes in Iraq and Syria on Saturday, February 3, calling for the United Nations Security Council to investigate. Russia has taken this stance while continuing its invasion of Ukraine, which began in March 2022, despite widespread international criticism. Zakharova described the US attacks as 'deliberate' and aimed at 'further inflaming the conflicts.' She claimed that the United States intends to deliberately involve the largest countries in the region in war through 'uninterrupted' strikes on positions of Tehran-backed groups in Iraq and Syria. The statement from the Russian Foreign Ministry, released by Reuters, did not mention the attacks by Iran's proxy militant groups, including in the Red Sea region, Iraq, and Syria. Moscow and Tehran maintain close relations, including the transfer of military drones from Iran for use by Russian forces in the war against Ukraine. These groups have conducted numerous attacks against US military bases and allies in the region, as well as ships passing through the Red Sea, following Hamas militants' attacks on Israel on October 7 and Israel's retaliatory strikes in Gaza aimed at destroying that militant group, despite repeated warnings from the United States and Western countries. After an attack by the militia known as the 'Islamic Resistance Movement of Iraq' on a military base hosting US forces in northern Jordan, the United States reiterated its position on the need to prevent the spread of conflicts throughout the region, stating that it would respond to this attack as part of defending American soldiers and interests in the region. Starting early Saturday local time, the US conducted a series of airstrikes on the centers and bases of forces supported by the Islamic Republic and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in Syria and Iraq. According to President Joe Biden, this is the first phase of a series of attacks following the deaths of three American soldiers in Jordan. The US Central Command, CENTCOM, had previously announced that it targeted Quds Force elements of the Revolutionary Guard and Iran-affiliated militia groups in Iraq and Syria early on Saturday, February 3, local time. Reports indicate that US forces targeted over 85 locations in these two countries with multiple aircraft, including long-range bombers that had flown from the US to the region. According to CENTCOM, over 125 precision munitions were used in the Saturday morning airstrikes, destroying facilities including command and control operations centers, intelligence centers, rocket and missile storage sites, drone storage facilities, and logistics and ammunition supply chain facilities of the militia groups and Revolutionary Guard supporters. CENTCOM emphasized that the targeted centers were points that facilitated attacks against US and coalition forces. The US strikes on Revolutionary Guard positions in Iraq and Syria; Biden: Our response will continue at other times and places. Reactions to the US strikes on Revolutionary Guard positions in Iraq and Syria continue; Biden: Our response will continue at other times and places. The Syrian army states that US airstrikes caused 'significant damage.' Australia supports US 'retaliatory' strikes against Iranian government-affiliated militants. The White House National Security Council: Airstrikes in Iraq and Syria were successful, but this is not the end. Reactions in the US to the airstrikes in Syria and Iraq; lawmakers from both parties welcomed them.