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February 26, 2021 First military action of the Joe Biden era: the US bombed Syria, in the eastern area, on the border with Iraq, targeting infrastructure of Iranian-backed militias.

The Pentagon explains that the raid, ordered by Joe Biden and launched after consulting the allies, is in response to the missile attack in Iraq last February 15 in which a civilian contractor was killed while US military and other coalition forces they were injured. 



The Syrian Human Rights Observatory revealed that at least 17 pro-Iran fighters were killed in the aftermath of the attack.



  It is the Biden administration's first military operation, 37 days after taking office.

"The raids destroyed several border structures used by a number of pro-Iranian militias," Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said.

"Send an unequivocal message: President Biden will act to protect the personnel of the American coalition. At the same time - Kirby remarks - we have acted in a deliberate way aiming to calm the situation both in eastern Syria and in Iraq".



Washington had condemned the attack last February 15 against the US base in the Iraqi Kurdistan region, but without accusing anyone and relying on Iraq for the investigation.

"We are waiting for the investigation to be completed - declared Kirby - and then we will have more to say, and we will".

On February 15, the missiles were launched from an area south of Erbil, near the border with the province of Kirkuk.

The attack was claimed by a Shiite group calling themselves Awliyaa al-Dam, or Guardians of the Blood.

Iran denies having links with these militias.   



Then last week a missile was launched into Baghdad's Green Zone, which houses embassies, including the American one.

There were no casualties.

The White House has not accused any specific group but has made it known that it holds Iran accountable for the actions of its 'delegates'.

Many of these attacks, "have been carried out with weapons manufactured or supplied by Iran," echoed State Department spokesman Ned Price.

Tehran is putting pressure on Washington to return to the 2015 Iranian nuclear deal. Biden has opened up for negotiations.

The road appears uphill.