
Russia, ally of Syria, fumes at U.S. airstrike against militia group
"This makes President Biden the seventh consecutive USA president to order strikes in the Middle East", Khanna added. "If there's anything Iran is good at, it's probing the enemy and testing its red lines - all while seeking to gain leverage in doing so".
The Pentagon on Friday said the United States was responding to attacks by Iran-backed militias earlier this month in which one usa military contractor was killed and nine other people were wounded. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said the USA informed Russia of the strike just minutes before it was carried out.
Visiting Houston on Friday, Biden told reporters that the message he was sending to Iran with the attack in Syria was "you can't act with impunity, be careful".
President Joe Biden said Friday that a U.S. airstrike against an Iranian-backed militia in eastern Syria should be seen by Iran as a warning. Once a daily occurrence during the war that followed the 2003 invasion of Iraq, what are known as indirect fire attacks - rockets or mortars usually launched from fixed sites or the back of trucks - have been sporadic in recent years, often causing no harm. Additionally, five other contractors were wounded as well as a USA service member.
Russian Federation has been fighting alongside Syrian government forces in the country's nine-year civil war, clashing repeatedly with US forces and USA -allied Kurds who have been battling the terror group Islamic State on the same battlefield.
John Kirby, a Pentagon spokesman, said the airstrike targeting the two militias was meant to limit the group's capability of launching future attacks and send a "clear message" that the United States will protect its citizens. "The targets were chosen to correspond to the recent attacks-the facilities are utilized by KSS and KH-and to deter the risk of additional attacks over the coming weeks".
Kataib Hezbollah, one of the militias the Pentagon targeted, denied any role in the February 15 rocket attack in the Iraqi city of Irbil. In a statement, the group said one person had died in Friday's strike.
"While the military strike was necessary to protect our personnel in the region and deter further attacks", he said, "I have spoken with the Biden administration's national security team and they are committed to using diplomacy and engagement with Iran, and also working with our allies and partners in the region to deescalate tensions going forward".
Some travellers from Toronto Pearson International Airport violating Quarantine Act
Previously, the Quarantine Act stated that all travellers had to complete a mandatory 14-day quarantine at home. Travellers entering will be required to take a COVID-19 test using a self-swab kit.
Even so, Iraq's government signaled its discomfort with the attack.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said he is "confident" the USA hit back at the "same Shia militants that conducted the strikes", referring to the fatal February 15 rocket attack in northern Iraq.
"Our cooperation with the global coalition forces is limited to a specific goal.to fight Daesh and its threat to Iraq, in a way that preserves the sovereignty of Iraq", the statement said, using an Arabic term for the Islamic State. Inhofe called the airstrikes correct and proportionate, but also threw in barbed criticism of Biden's efforts to renegotiate the Iran nuclear deal. After withdrawing, Trump authorized punishing sanctions on Iran, which has since begun enriching uranium at higher levels.
Joe Biden said that a United States airstrike in Syria should be seen by Iran as a warning.
Asked if the airstrikes influences reopening talks with Iran, Psaki said the status of that, at this point in time, remains that the USA is open to having these diplomatic conversations. "It shouldn't come as a shock to anybody that we're going to do what we have to do to notify but we're also going to do what we have to do to protect our forces". Senior Iraqi officials have said they expect a more nuanced policy by the Biden administration toward Iraq. "I and others went to Tehran and had a frank and open discussion with the Iranians", he said.
Congressman Adam Smith, Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, said that the Syrian strike should serve as a reminder that the U.S. will always defend its partners, allies and interests.
"We need to extricate from the Middle East, not escalate", progressive Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., said in a statement Friday.
Salim reported from Baghdad.
Recommended News
-
Queen heaped with praise for promoting importance of Covid vaccines
Asked for "feedback" about her vaccination experience, she chuckled as she told the officials "it was quite harmless". Queen Elizabeth II says people "ought to think about others" when it comes to receiving the Covid-19 vaccination.MLHU reports 20 new COVID-19 cases, Middlesex Terrace outbreak ends
The school board previously announced a positive case at the school on Monday, though an outbreak has not been declared. The London Health Sciences Centre now has just 11 COVID-19 patients in its care, down from 13 on Monday.Microsoft teams up with European Union publishers amid Facebook's Australian spat
But Sims said Facebook was always free to stop offering news - and had also been free to cut deals to avoid intervention. She hopes the tech firms will act in good faith and negotiate fairly with Australian media companies, big and small. -
Russian diplomats hand-push trolley over North Korea border
North Korea has imposed strict restrictions on travel and transport of goods from other countries, citing coronavirus measures. A year ago, 13 Russian Embassy employees were flown out of North Korea as the lockdown began.Donald Trump to mark comeback with appearance at conservative conference
CPAC is often used as a launching pad for Republicans looking to run for president, so all eyes will be on Mr Trump. President Donald Trump walks on the South Lawn of the White House, in Washington , on December 12, 2020.Beijing official signals Hong Kong electoral reforms to ensure 'patriots' govern
Some media outlets in Hong Kong are reporting that electoral reforms may be implemented at the National People's Congress to be held in March. -
FDA panel endorses Johnson & Johnson's COVID-19 vaccine
The AstraZeneca and CoviShield COVID-19 vaccines are like the same recipe being prepared in two different kitchens. Some experts fear that lower number could feed public perceptions that J&J's shot is a "second-tier vaccine".FT: Russia's Coronavirus Vaccine More Expensive for Africa Than Western Jabs
The first supply from the initiative - 600,000 doses - arrived at an airport in Ghana's capital, Accra, on Wednesday. Neighbouring Ivory Coast will be the next to receive vaccines, and also will roll them out starting next week.Alberta's budget pledges more aid for COVID-19 with hard deficit
He said even with the reduced spending as planned by 2022, the government will need to find billions of dollars of new money. That includes $1.5 billion for key economic sectors such as energy agriculture and forestry. -
"My Heart Is Sick": Lady Gaga Offers $500,000 For Stolen Dogs
Gustav and Koji are taken - one of the dogs can be heard yelping in the footage - but Miss Asia manages to escape. The third French bulldog was not taken and is seen in the video coming to Fischer's side after the attack.Malta: Three suspects arrested over 2017 killing of journalist
All face a number of other charges from unlawful possession of firearms and explosives to forming part of a criminal organisation. Muscat changed his plea on Tuesday in a dramatic turn of events and agreed to provide information about the murder.USA has no closer friend than Canada, Biden tells Trudeau
Trump, who re-categorized Canada and other USA allies as competitors, had a sometimes tense personal relationship with Trudeau. Trudeau said last month Canada will seek exemptions to a USA effort to ensure federal agencies buy American-produced goods.