Russia Condemns U.S. Airstrikes in Syria

Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Maria Zakharova said the country “strongly condemns” airstrikes the U.S. conducted in eastern Syria earlier today.

Zakharova made the statement during her weekly press briefings on Friday. “Russia is closely monitoring the situation and is in constant contact with Syrian authorities,” she added.

U.S. President Joe Biden approved the bombings that targeted facilities used by Iran-backed militias in Syria. The airstrikes were carried out days after a volley of rockets targeted a U.S. military base in Irbil city, Iraq’s semi-autonomous Kurdish-run region. At least one civilian contractor was killed in the February 15 attack, while a U.S. service member was left wounded. Another salvo struck a base hosting U.S. forces north of Baghdad days later hurting at least one contractor. On Monday, Katyusha rockets hit Baghdad’s fortified Green Zone where American and other foreign embassies are based.