News has emerged that Iranian-backed terrorists, who are believed to be responsible for the recent attack that resulted in the deaths of three American soldiers and injuries to many more, have begun to abandon their bases. This move comes in the wake of information leaks by the Biden administration indicating an impending retaliatory bombing campaign.
Earlier this week, it was reported by NBC News that the U.S. was planning a response that would span several weeks. The U.S. officials quoted in the report indicated that the plan includes targeting Iranian interests outside of Iran itself, using both physical strikes and cyber operations.
CBS News later reported that Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an Iran-supported terrorist group, had begun to evacuate their bases in Iraq and Syria. It is believed that this sudden movement was prompted by fear of the mentioned U.S. retaliation for the attack carried out on Sunday.
Adding to the detailed information leak, a U.S. official hinted at the nature of the upcoming strikes to ABC News. The official stated that the targets would be carefully selected, focusing on facilities that have facilitated these attacks.
The decision by the Biden administration to disclose its plans has drawn criticism. Andrea Stricker, Deputy Director & Research Fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies’ (FDD) Nonproliferation & Biodefense program, voiced her concerns to The Daily Wire. She argued that the administration’s lack of immediate action following the attacks that led to the death of three service members necessitates a forceful response now.
Stricker emphasized that the response should be so powerful that it forces Tehran to instruct its proxies to cease their activities. She warned that anything less would only perpetuate the cycle of violence and could potentially lead to the regional war that Washington is keen to avoid. She also criticized the administration for revealing its intentions too openly, arguing that it undermines the perception of our willingness to use significant force.
