On Friday’s “CBS Evening News,” CBS News national security correspondent David Martin said that the U.S. military, in response to deadly drone attacks on U.S. soldiers, said the Biden administration “is not sure how much these attacks should be carried out.” “Did you tell them by telegram?” he said, adding that he was “perplexed.” The cables “gave Iraqi and Syrian militia leaders and Iranian operatives time to leave the country or head to the ground surrounded by women and children.” However, it also reported that further strikes were planned and that if Friday’s strike was successful, there would be “less need for cooperation” from Iran-backed militias to resume strikes after going into hiding.
Host Norah O’Donnell said, “So right around that time, the president effectively telegraphed that some of these strikes were going to take place. Did that affect their effectiveness?”
Mr Martin replied: “The military was embarrassed by the extent to which the government telegraphed these attacks, giving Iraqi and Syrian militia leaders and Iranian operatives time to either leave the country or surround them and make their way to the ground. and children. But if the militias are going to resume attacks on U.S. forces, they will have to come out of hiding sooner or later. And even if tonight’s attack is successful, they will have to come out of hiding. Once you get out there, you won’t have to cooperate much.”
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