US hit 80 Iranian-connected targets in Iraq, Syria, promising more strikes

US military forces carried out the first phase of its retaliatory response against Iran and its proxy groups with strikes at seven facilities across Iraq and Syria, the White House told reporters on a call Friday night with National Security spokesman John Kirby and Lt.-Gen. Douglas A Sims II, Joint Staff Director for Operations. 

The US hit at least 80 targets at four facilities in Iraq and three facilities in Syria, Kirby said, with 125 missiles launched within 30 minutes. Secondary explosions were reported in several locations.

US forces were waiting for the right weather conditions to conduct the strikes, Sims said. 

Targets included drone and rocket storage facilities as well as logistics facilities belonging to the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella organization made up of Iranian-backed groups. 

Multiple types of aircraft were utilized in the strikes from Central Command as well as B1 Bombers that came from the US, Sims said. READ MORE