Syria airstrikes: why has US bombed Iran-backed militias in Syria - Joe Biden’s first military action explained

The bombing near the Syrian city of Boukamal resulted in several militia casualties according to a war monitor

The US carried out its first military action since Joe Biden became president (Getty Images)

The Joe Biden administration has carried out its first piece of military action

The air strike targeted Iran-backed militias in Syria with a war monitor reporting at least 22 fatalities.

The Pentagon described the attack as "proportionate military response" taken alongside “diplomatic measures”.

A statement by the Iranian government underlined “the need of the west to adhere to UN security council resolutions regarding Syria”.

Why did the US launch an airstrike in Syria?

The Pentagon chief spokesperon John Kirby said that the airstrikes targeted members of Kataeb Hezbollah and Kata’ib Sayyid al-Shuhada, two Iraqi groups with ties to Iran.

The Pentagon claim that members of the groups were responsible for a rocket attack earlier this month which left one civilian dead and wounded a US service member. Five other coalition members were also injured following the attack on a base in Irbil. US bases in Baghdad have also been targeted by rockets

Kirby said: “This proportionate military response was conducted together with diplomatic measures, including consultation with coalition partners."

He added: “The operation sends an unambiguous message: President Biden will act to protect American and coalition personnel. At the same time, we have acted in a deliberate manner that aims to de-escalate the overall situation in eastern Syria and Iraq.”

Kataib Hezbollah have denied any involvement in the rocket attacks on the US, but US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said that the US was "confident in the target that we went after".

He said: "We know what we hit. We're confident that that target was being used by the same Shia militants that conducted the strikes.”

A senior commander for Kataeb said “it’s strange the United States bombed Kataib Hezbollah over an attack that was condemned by Kataib Hezbollah themselves.”

What is Joe Biden’s position on Iran?

Under Donald Trump America opted for an Israel first policy in the Middle East, slamming the door shut on diplomacy with Iran.

Joe Biden has opened the door to Iran again, saying that his administration was open to the reopening of talks on the 2015 international nuclear deal which Trump renounced, though Iran appears to have rebuffed initial attempts

Speaking to the Washington Post Bilal Saab, a former Pentagon official who is currently a senior fellow with the Middle East Institute, said: “the strike, the way I see it, was meant to set the tone with Tehran and dent its inflated confidence ahead of negotiations.”

He added: “You don’t want to enter into potential talks with Iran on any issue with a bruise to your face from the Irbil attacks.”

Such an attack shows that Biden is willing to use deterrence against Iran.

Michael McCaul, a Republican representative for Texas said attacking Iran backed militia is “a necessary deterrent and remind Iran, its proxies, and our adversaries around the world that attacks on U.S. interests will not be tolerated.”