After a drone strike killed three U.S. service members and around several dozen others were injured in Jordan near the Syrian border, prompting a response from President Joe Biden and other senior officials declaring a definite response – that response has since played out these past few days with more precision strikes in Syria and Iraq, along with more in Yemen.
Announced on Friday, February 2nd, not longer after the financial markets closed for the day and weekend, the Department of Defense (DoD) said in a formal statement they launched new attacks.
The Pentagon said in their release: “The strikes, which were carried out by U.S. Central Command forces, included more than 85 targets across seven facilities used by groups affiliated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Quds Force. Those targets included command and control centers, intelligence facilities and weapons storage facilities used by the Iran-backed militias to attack U.S. and coalition forces.”
The attacks included the use of B-1 bombers, the Pentagon also noted.
Commenting on the attack, Biden said in a statement:
Our response began today. It will continue at times and places of our choosing. The United States does not seek conflict in the Middle East or anywhere else in the world. But let all those who might seek to do us harm know this: If you harm an American, we will respond.
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III echoed something similar: “This is the start of our response. The president has directed additional actions to hold the IRGC and affiliated militias accountable for their attacks on U.S. and coalition forces. These will unfold at times and places of our choosing.”
Though the U.S. does not seek conflict in the region, “the president and I will not tolerate attacks on American forces,” Austin added.
On top of that, the U.S., along with a coalition with a number of allied nations, have carried out strikes against the Houthis in Yemen, over the group’s persistent attacks against commercial shipping in the Red Sea.
The DoD said in a joint statement:
Today, at the direction of their respective governments, the militaries of the United States and United Kingdom, with support from Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Denmark, the Netherlands, and New Zealand conducted an additional round of proportionate and necessary strikes against 36 Houthi targets across 13 locations in Yemen in response to the Houthis’ continued attacks against international and commercial shipping as well as naval vessels transiting the Red Sea.
These precision strikes are intended to disrupt and degrade the capabilities that the Houthis use to threaten global trade, and the lives of innocent mariners, and are in response to a series of illegal, dangerous, and destabilizing Houthi actions since previous coalition strikes on January 11 and 22, 2024, including the January 27 attack which struck and set ablaze the Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker M/V Marlin Luanda.
Today’s strike specifically targeted sites associated with the Houthis’ deeply buried weapons storage facilities, missile systems and launchers, air defense systems, and radars.
The Houthis’ now more than 30 attacks on commercial vessels and naval vessels since mid-November constitute an international challenge. Recognizing the broad consensus of the international community, our coalition of likeminded countries committed to upholding the rules-based order has continued to grow. We remain committed to protecting freedom of navigation and international commerce and holding the Houthis accountable for their illegal and unjustifiable attacks on commercial shipping and naval vessels.
Our aim remains to de-escalate tensions and restore stability in the Red Sea but let us reiterate our warning to Houthi leadership: we will not hesitate to continue to defend lives and the free flow of commerce in one of the world’s most critical waterways in the face of continued threats.
Moreover, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a statement:
On Feb. 4, at approximately 5:30 a.m. (Sanaa time), U.S. Central Command forces conducted a strike in self-defense against a Houthi land attack cruise missile.
Beginning at 10:30 a.m. U.S. forces struck four anti-ship cruise missiles, all of which were prepared to launch against ships in the Red Sea.
U.S. forces identified the missiles in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen and determined they presented an imminent threat to U.S. Navy ships and merchant vessels in the region. These actions will protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure for U.S. Navy vessels and merchant vessels.
AUTHOR COMMENTARY
These are still relatively small-scale, though the introduction of B-1 bombers does show the United States’ willingness to exert more force.
As I was reporting when the Israel-Hamas broke out since October 7th – which has magically disappeared from the mainstream media headlines, as the optics due to their tactics are not great for Israel, and as they have struggled in their operations to actually route out Hamas forces – the U.S. kept repeating this nonsense that they did not want “escalation,” while they increased their presence in the region. Unsurprisingly, they continue to regurgitate that same line. Uh, what are doing their in the first place? And who’s the aggressor again?
Be ready for a false flag attack in the works, something like a “cyber attack.”
He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.
Proverbs 26:17
[7] Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? [8] Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also? [9] For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? [10] Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope. (1 Corinthians 9:7-10).
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Awesome article.
Psalms 78:49-55
He cast upon them the fierceness of his anger, wrath, and indignation, and trouble, by sending evil angels among them.
50 He made a way to his anger; he spared not their soul from death, but gave their life over to the pestilence;
51 And smote all the firstborn in Egypt; the chief of their strength in the tabernacles of Ham:
52 But made his own people to go forth like sheep, and guided them in the wilderness like a flock.
53 And he led them on safely, so that they feared not: but the sea overwhelmed their enemies.
News is always bad these days, but the GOOD NEWS is the gospel and we must cling to it in these last days and pray we will be out of here soon, but those who are left behind need lots of prayer cause they have no clue what is coming and don’t want to hear it. My children say I am “doom and gloom” if I dare bring up all the negative TRUE news and try to give them the GOOD NEWS, so of course I pray for them daily that they will come to the Lord and really see what’s going on in this world It’s not a pretty place to be anymore
Thanks in support of sharing such a fastidious thought, article is good,
thats why i have read it fully