Washington says the US attacks on Iraq and Syria were aimed at militias allied with Iran. ZDF correspondent Elmar Theveßen about the risk and the possible consequences.03.02.2024 | 1:23 minutes
“US President Joe Biden definitely doesn’t want a war, he has made that clear,” emphasizes ZDF correspondent Elmar Theveßen in Washington. But it’s also clear: “Anyone who harms the USA will get an answer – and that’s just the start.” The spokesman for the press briefing in the White House emphasized this several times. The White House also reiterated:
If you harm an American, we will respond. That’s for sure.
Press Secretary White House
“For the USA,” explains the head of the ZDF foreign studio in Washington, “the risk of an escalation spiral in the Middle East region is very real.” An example: “If a militia that is linked to Iran but is not directly controlled from Tehran, if this militia carries out a major attack in which US soldiers die, then that could easily escalate.”
Following the deaths of three US soldiers in Jordan, the US military has launched air strikes on more than 85 targets in Iraq and Syria. According to US President Biden, this is just the beginning.02/03/2024 | 1:32 minutes
The USA therefore wanted to do three things, explains Elmar Theveßen, and lists:
“The air strikes are intended to reduce the ability of the militias and the Iranian Revolutionary Guard to such an extent that they can no longer do any harm.” “The US government announces the attacks, that is, they announce the air strikes in advance. Then the people can get to safety, but the weapons, the material, their ability to kill should be destroyed.””About “Back channel, in a roundabout way, the White House enters into communication with the regime in Tehran. The aim is to make it clear that Tehran should use its power to make it clear to the militias not to carry out any further attacks.”
Five days ago, three US soldiers died in a drone attack in Jordan, now the US response follows: More than 85 military targets were attacked in both countries.03.02.2024 | 0:22 min
World Security Council discusses US missile strikes
The US missile strikes are also expected to concern the World Security Council in New York. According to diplomatic circles, a meeting of the most powerful UN body is scheduled for Monday at 10 p.m. CET.
According to US Secretary of State Blinken, the situation in the Middle East is more dangerous than it has been in 50 years. However, the USA’s goal is to prevent the conflict from spreading.01/30/2024 | 0:24 min
Russia had requested the meeting and accused the USA of wanting to use the air strikes to deliberately escalate the conflict in the Middle East.
Allegedly killed at least 45 people
According to activists and officials, at least 45 people were killed in the attacks on dozens of targets. A government spokesman in Baghdad said there were also civilians among the 16 deaths in Iraq. He didn’t give a number. There were also 36 injuries and damage to residential buildings and private property.
According to the London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, at least 29 members of pro-Iranian militias have been killed in Syria. There was a tense calm in both countries on Saturday.
Drone attack on US soldiers
:USA: Iraqi group behind attack
Three US soldiers died in a drone attack in Jordan – now the White House blamed a group: the so-called Islamic Resistance in Iraq.
Source: dpa, ZDF