US military forces launched a number of airstrikes against Iran-backed militia groups in the Iraq-Syria border region.

In a recent statement from the US Department of Defense, Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby said the ‘precision airstrikes’ were ‘defensive’.

US military targeted the facilities because Iran-backed militias are using them to launch drone attacks on US personnel and facilities in Iraq.

“As a matter of international law, the United States acted pursuant to its right of self-defense.”

PENTAGON PRESS SECRETARY JOHN KIRBY

“Specifically, the U.S. strikes targeted operational and weapons storage facilities at two locations in Syria and one location in Iraq, both of which lie close to the border between those countries,” said Kirby. Both of the targeted locations are on the border between Syria and Iraq.

Several Iran-backed militia groups, including Kata’ib Hezbollah (KH) and Kata’ib Sayyid al-Shuhada (KSS), used these facilities.

President Biden will “protect U.S. personnel”

“Given the ongoing series of attacks by Iran-backed groups targeting U.S. interests in Iraq, the President directed further military action to disrupt and deter such attacks,” said Kirby.

US military forces are in Iraq to assist the Iraqi Security Forces to defeat ISIS.

“The United States took necessary, appropriate, and deliberate action designed to limit the risk of escalation – but also to send a clear and unambiguous deterrent message.”

“The strikes were both necessary to address the threat and appropriately limited in scope. As a matter of domestic law, the President took this action pursuant to his Article II authority to protect U.S. personnel in Iraq.”

The Jerusalem Post reports the airstrike killed a commander of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards

Iraqi security and local militia officials could not confirm the identity of the commander. They believe the airstrike also killed another 3 men who were travelling in the vehicle with him.

The vehicle was carrying weapons across the Iraqi border. The strike hit the vehicle after it had entered Syrian territory, two Iraqi security officials said.

There is not yet any independent confirmation the airstrike killed the commander.