White House National Security Council: Airstrikes in Iraq and Syria were successful, but the work is not over

John Kirby, the Strategic Communications Coordinator for the White House National Security Council, described the U.S. military airstrikes against positions of groups affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in Iraq and Syria as 'successful.' He stated that the U.S. military targeted 85 sites across seven bases linked to Iranian-backed militants in these two countries, resulting in the bombing of three bases in Iraq and four in Syria. This White House official emphasized that in determining these targets, it was ensured that they were primarily related to IRGC-supported militants and that minimal harm would be inflicted on civilians. Kirby added that the operation was conducted with 'complete success' and that U.S. aircraft returned safely to their bases. The U.S. Central Command announced that IRGC Quds Force operatives and affiliated militia groups in Iraq and Syria were targeted in airstrikes early Saturday, February 3, local time. According to CENTCOM's announcement, U.S. forces targeted over 85 sites in these two countries using multiple aircraft, including long-range bombers dispatched from the United States to the region. President Joe Biden stated in a statement following the operation, 'Today's strikes were carried out at my direction and will continue at other times and places, wherever we choose.' The early Saturday strikes by the U.S. were in retaliation for a drone attack the previous Sunday on the 'Tower 22' military base in Jordan near the border with Syria, which resulted in the deaths of three American soldiers and injuries to about 40 others. The U.S. airstrikes against IRGC positions in Iraq and Syria; Biden: Our response will continue at other times and places. Reactions in the U.S. to the airstrikes in Syria and Iraq; lawmakers from both parties welcomed them. A U.S. State Department official stated that the actions of Iran's proxies complicate efforts to prevent the escalation of conflict in the region. Reuters reported that the IRGC has withdrawn some of its commanders from Syria following Israeli attacks. The U.S. blamed 'Islamic Resistance of Iraq' for the drone attack on its soldiers in Jordan; revenge is on the way.