American warplanes launched a sustained campaign, destroying or severely damaging most of the Iranian and militia targets in Syria and Iraq. The Pentagon reported that more than 80 of the 85 targets were destroyed or rendered inoperable, including command hubs, intelligence centers, and depots for rockets, missiles, and attack drones. The strikes were in response to a drone attack in Jordan by an Iran-backed militia that killed three American soldiers and injured 40 more. The U.S. does not seek conflict but will not tolerate attacks on American forces. However, the militias targeted still retain the majority of their capability to carry out future attacks. The strikes resulted in casualties, and the region is now closer to a broader conflict. The militias seem undeterred, as they continue to launch attacks against U.S. troops. Overall, Iran-backed militias have carried out at least 166 drone, rocket, and missile attacks against U.S. troops in Iraq. For more information, you can visit www.nytimes.com.
