*Article originally written March 26, 2021

On Thursday afternoon, Biden sent airstrikes targeting Iran-backed militias in Syria. The airstrike was a response to an attack that wounded multiple civilian contractors and killed a U.S service member. Seven 500-pound bombs were dropped on a small group of buildings that resulted in damaging an area along the border between the Syrian city of Boukamal and the Iraqi town of Qaim and harming multiple civilians and killing one firefighter.

The Pentagon has put out a statement. “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 both eastern Syria and Iraq.” The Pentagon has claimed this action as it “sends an unambiguous message.”

In response, Syria’s foreign ministry criticized the actions of the U.S. “It is a bad sign regarding the policies of the new US administration, which should adhere to international (norms).” Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov joined in with the attacks by criticizing the “four or five minutes” warning that the U.S gave to Moscow, one of Syria’s allies.

However, some believe the airstrike was deserved. Mick Mulroy, who is an analyst for ABC News, has stated the strike was “calculated and scaled to avoid an
escalation and send a message that Iran’s use of militias as proxies will not allow them to avoid responsibility.” Biden backed up his actions by agreeing those responsible “must be held fully to account.”