Pentagon press secretary John Kirby on US strikes:
Notified congressional leadership before strikes last night. Briefing at member and staff level today. Full classified briefing early next week.
Notified congressional leadership before strikes last night. Briefing at member and staff level today. Full classified briefing early next week.
Kirby says 2 F-15 E Strike Eagles dropped 7 munitions destroying totally 9 facilities, and partially destroying 2 facilities at Abu Kamel entry point, located on Syrian side of border that is known to facilitate Iranian aligned militia activity...Battle damage assessment ongoing
Kirby: The purpose for striking these targets was two-fold: one, to try to make an impact on these groups and their ability to conduct future attacks. Two, to send a very clear signal that the United States is going to protect its people....our interests & those of our partners
Kirby: Defensive strike. Meant to help protect in the future American forces and coalition partners given what we know these structures are used for
To provide through-put for these groups and their activities inside Iraq.
It very much was a defensive operation to protect our
To provide through-put for these groups and their activities inside Iraq.
It very much was a defensive operation to protect our
troops and coalition partners as well as to send a strong signal about our resolve.
We are confident that these were legitimate targets that were used by groups associated with these recent attacks
We are confident that these were legitimate targets that were used by groups associated with these recent attacks
Kirby says President Biden himself authorized the strikes yesterday morning.
Kirby says information gleaned in Iraqi government investigation "was of significant assistance in our ability to develop this target set."
Kirby, asked what message the strikes send Iran, says it sends a message to anyone in the region, organizations, people, leaders, that are operating in ways that are inimical to security & stability in the region that we will defend ourselves, that we will protect our interests,
Kirby: We are certainly going to act to protect our people, our allies and partners. Unambiguous message
Kirby: As for legal authorities, there are 2 primary justifications where president well within his rights...
Article 2 under constitution
Article 51 of UN charter which makes it clear in international law nations have the right to self defense
Article 2 under constitution
Article 51 of UN charter which makes it clear in international law nations have the right to self defense
Was congressional notification prior to strike
And congressional briefings and the provision of information including classified information later this week, that is ongoing
And congressional briefings and the provision of information including classified information later this week, that is ongoing
Kirby: Pres. Biden has been nothing but clear as Sec. Austin has been we know we want to end these quote unquote "forever wars," specifically that often times refers to Afghanistan.
Leadership has been very clear it is time to do this but also time to do it in a responsible way
Leadership has been very clear it is time to do this but also time to do it in a responsible way
Kirby: And also incumbent on the president to protect our people and to protect our allies
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