U.S. Deploys Long-Range Bombers for Airstrikes in Iraq, Syria

The barrage against 85 targets employed more than 125 precision munitions.

Friday, February 02, 2024 at 05:26 PM ET

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According to a report, B-1B Lancers (such as this one) were used in U.S. airstrikes in Iraq and Syria on Friday. The B-1B's three internal weapons bays can accommodate up to 84 MK-82 general purpose bombs or MK-62 naval mines, 30 CBU-87/89 cluster munitions, or CBU-97 Sensor Fused Weapons. [Courtesy: U.S. Air Force]

Key Takeaways:

The U.S. military conducted extensive airstrikes in Iraq and Syria, targeting Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and affiliated militia groups.
These strikes, involving long-range bombers and over 125 precision munitions across more than 85 targets, were a direct retaliation for a drone attack that killed three U.S. soldiers in Jordan.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin stated the strikes marked "the start of our response" and warned of further actions against those accountable for attacks on U.S. forces.

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The U.S. military deployed long-range bombers as part of a barrage of airstrikes in Iraq and Syria on Friday, targeting Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Quds Force, and Iranian-backed militia groups, according to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM).

The airstrikes, which began around 4 p.m. EST, were conducted on seven facilities and employed more than 125 precision munitions. The attack comes less than a week after a one-way-attack drone struck a remote outpost in Jordan, killing three U.S. Army Reserve soldiers and injuring more than 40 others.