Cell phone video shows what remains of a desolate outpost on the Syrian side of the Iraqi border after the U.S. air strikes on Thursday. Two F-15 Eagles threw seven 500 pound bombs, completely destroying nine buildings and damaging two. Initial reports said one person was killed and three injured.
“I recognize the importance of this operation, which is the first of its kind under the new administration,” said Pentagon spokesman John Kirby.
Kirby said Iran-backed militias used the border post to smuggle weapons into Iraq.
“These structures, once again, we had information that gave us confidence that these structures, this place, this complex – because all the buildings were all in one complex – were being used by these groups to facilitate the movement of resources, material, armament for Iraq to conduct the attacks, “said Kirby.
Two weeks ago, American officials said, Iranian-made rockets were fired at a base in Iraq where American troops are stationed. The Thursday night strike was a message to Iran.
“This is a clear and unambiguous message to anyone in the region about what the stakes are if you are going to continue to conduct attacks against our people,” said Kirby.
Defense officials say the attack was planned to be carried out, but that will depend on how Iran and its allies react.
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