Biden changed the strike at the last minute to avoid killing women and children



  • The president changed his mind at the last minute about launching an air strike against the Iranian-backed militia.
  • Battlefield Intelligence indicated the presence of a woman and children in the two strike areas.
  • With fighters in the air, Biden chose to strike only one target, bypassing the one with the civilians.
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With a strike plane in the air and a target in the air, President Joe Biden changed his plans for the first major military order as commander-in-chief at the last minute, so that women and children would not be killed. .

Last Thursday, Byden was deported to the U.S. The army was instructed to strike against the facilities used by Iran-backed military forces to injure and injure US and coalition troops in a series of rocket attacks in Iraq.

The Pentagon said in a statement that “this operation sends a clear message: President Biden will work to protect American and coalition personnel.”

Although other military action has been taken since Biden took office, last Thursday’s strike was the first known military action directed by the president.

F-15E Strike Eagle

F-15E Strike Eagle

Photo of the US Air Force by Staff Sergeant. Chris Drzz Gosky



The two F-15E Strike Eagles landed seven precision-guided squadrons that completely destroyed nine facilities and injured two others at a location in Abu-Kamal on the Iraq-Syria border.

The targets were chosen deliberately to thwart military action, as well as to send a message to Iran, but not to leave behind a significant number of casualties.

The Wall Street Journal reported Thursday that the plan was initially to strike more targets, but under the guidance of Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, Byden changed plans with the strike plane about 30 minutes from the target, when a woman with children was found on the bike. Courtyard.

The presence of a woman with children in the strike area was sent to the president by war-field intelligence national security adviser Jack Sullivan. Byden then decided to stop air strikes or just hit one of two targets.

Biden chose the latter. The bomber struck shortly after noon in front of a U.S. military base.

The president then sent a clear message to Iran-backed military forces and Iran in a public statement: “You will not run with penalties. Be careful.”

The Biden administration began planning its response immediately after the rocket attack in mid-February, in which a coalition contractor was killed and at least seven Americans, including a U.S. service member, were injured.

Last Thursday morning, Biden met with senior officials in the Situation Room, where he was presented with a selection of possible replacement proceedings. The Wall Street Journal reported that the president’s choice was the most accurate of the available options.

Biden’s decision to change his plans to prevent the unintentional killing of women and children is consistent with other administrative actions, such as the decision to curb drone strikes outside the active war zone amid ongoing policy review, in part, whether action is needed. Better action will be taken to prevent unnecessary killings of civilians.

An airstrike in Syria has killed one military member and wounded two others. The Pentagon said the strike had achieved its goals amid questions about whether the strike was an adequate response.

“This was really done to do two things: to remove that compound from Syria using it as an entry point to Iraq, and two, to send a very strong signal that we will not tolerate attacks on our people,” Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby said Monday. Said.

Although the airstrikes were aimed at preventing future rocket attacks, al-Assad airbase in Iraq came under fire on Wednesday.

Ten rockets fired at the base did not kill anyone, but U.S. The civilian contractor suffered a heart attack while sheltering and later died. The Biden administration will still continue to investigate what its response will be.