Biden’s First Military Action: Airstrikes on Buildings in Syria in Response to Rocket Attacks on U.S. Targets

Iran has always been a controversial topic in U.S. foreign relations and international policies in the field of military. After Biden’s victory, the biggest question that many strategic analysts raised has been “What will Biden do to issues related to Iran?” The question was answered by airstrikes ordered by the Biden Administration in Syria.

On February 25th, 2021, Biden ordered airstrikes. This first military action undertaken by Biden Administration’s main purpose was to retaliate against the Iran-backed militia based in the buildings in Syria. According to the London-based Human Rights Committee, this military action may have caused at least 22 casualties, although still unconfirmed.

Pentagon further responded that this airstrike was near the Iraqi border located in eastern Syria and claimed that it was a “proportionate military response” that was taken with “diplomatic measures”.

Biden’s decision was further interpreted as a signpost to Iran to warn that Washington will not comprise attacks on U.S. personnel in Iraq because of the incident that happened in Iraq. According to military reports, this strike attacked U.S. coalitions based in the northern Iraqi town of Irbil. According to the Pentagon, this operation sends an “unambiguous message” and that “President Biden will act to protect American and Coalition personnel”.

Although this military action shows the decisiveness of Biden in terms of international policies, criticism from both international media and the domestic system brings major concern towards this airstrike.

Ben Kim, a senior from AISG, commented on this airstrike and said that it was a “rushed military action that still requires national approval”. Many Democrats also criticized that President Biden did not inform Congress enough before this military action. The lack of Congress approval made many politicians believe that this operation is unconstitutional. Many other politicians also believe that President Biden will repeat the path of “endless war” that Trump started.

However, Biden Administration states that Iran has been attacking military facilities in the Middle East before the airstrikes. For example, February 15 rocket attack on coalition forces around the Erbil International Airport killed a civilian contractor and caused injures, including American contractors. Later that week, four rockets struck Balad Air Base in Baghdad that aimed at a U.S. defense company works on Iraqi combat aircraft. Therefore, the Biden Administration justified this attack by stating that it was a sign of warning, but it is not aimed at escalating conflicts in the Middle East.

President Biden also hopes to reestablish the Nuclear Deal that Trump abandoned during his presidency.