February 26, 2021 - 10:37 AMT
Biden orders first airstrike in Syria

The United States launched airstrikes in Syria on Thursday, February 26, the first military action undertaken by the Biden administration, Euronews reports.

The attack was targeting facilities near the Iraqi border used by Iranian-backed militia groups.

The Pentagon said the strikes were retaliation for a rocket attack in Iraq earlier this month that killed one civilian contractor and wounded a US service member and other coalition troops.

“I’m confident in the target that we went after, we know what we hit,” US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told reporters flying with him from California to Washington.

Earlier, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said the US action was a “proportionate military response” taken together with diplomatic measures, including consultation with coalition partners.

Photo. AP