Biden authorises strikes in Syria
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The U.S. has carried out air strikes against Iran-linked militias in Syria in retaliation for recent rocket attacks against U.S. targets in Iraq. The military action was the first ordered by President Joe Biden
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Feb 26, 02.00 (local time):
“Up to a handful” of people killed in strikes at border control point used by Iranian-backed militant groups, according to Pentagon
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Feb 15: Rocket attack on airport in Irbil kills one civilian contractor and wounds six others, including one U.S. service member
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100km 60 miles

TURKEY
Latakia
Homs
Deir al-Zour
Kirkuk
LEBANON
SYRIA
Raqqa 
Aleppo
Mosul
Damascus
JORDAN 
ISRAEL
IRAQ
Irbil 
IRAN 
Tikrit

Sparsely populated areas

Feb 20: Balad airbase
Feb 22: Baghdad’s Green Zone
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Areas of control: As of Feb 2021 

Syrian government and allies 

Kurdish forces

Turkish-backed Syrian rebels and Turkish forces

Syrian opposition forces

Iraqi government

Recent rocket attacks claimed by Shia militia groups

Strikes come as Biden administration is seeking to open talks with Iran to revive 2015 accord, aimed at limiting Tehran’s nuclear programme in exchange for sanctions relief
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Sources: Institute for the Study of War, Jane's Conflict Monitor, Reuters, AP © GRAPHIC NEWS