US attacks rebels in Iraq and Syria, nearly 40 people killed

The strikes, which involved the use of long-range B-1 bombers flown from the United States, were the first retaliatory strikes by the U.S. military, and more U.S. military operations are expected in the coming days. The incident marked an escalation of conflict in the region since fighting broke out between Israel and Hamas on October 7.

A destroyed building at the site of a US airstrike in al-Qaim, Iraq on February 3, 2024. Photo: Reuters

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani said in a statement that the attacks represented "another strategic mistake and recklessness by the US that will only increase tensions and instability".

Iraq has summoned the US charge d’affaires in Baghdad to lodge a formal protest. “Iraq reiterates its refusal to treat its land as an arena for resolving disputes or for flexing its muscles between warring countries,” the Iraqi Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

The Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces, a state security force made up of militia groups, said 16 of its members were killed, including fighters and medical staff. The Iraqi government had previously said civilians were among the 16 killed.

Rami Abdulrahman, director of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, said the attacks killed 23 people guarding targets in Syria.

Lieutenant General Douglas Sims, director of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, said the strikes appeared to be successful, causing a large secondary explosion when the bombs hit the militants’ weapons. He said the strikes were carried out knowing that there would likely be casualties among those inside the facility.

An Iraqi government statement said the areas bombed by US aircraft included places where Iraqi security forces were stationed near civilian sites. They said 23 people were injured in addition to the 16 killed.

The White House said the US had informed Iraq before the attack. Baghdad later said US claims of coordination with the Iraqi government were "baseless".

Huy Hoang (according to Reuters, CNN)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/my-tan-cong-cac-phien-quan-o-iraq-va-syria-gan-40-nguoi-thiet-mang-post283596.html