US bombs facilities in Syria used by Iran-backed militia

US President Joe Biden has ordered airstrikes in Syria against Iranian-backed militia groups (Evan Vucci/AP)

The United States launched airstrikes in Syria on Thursday, targeting facilities used by Iranian-backed militia groups.

The Pentagon said the strikes on facilities near the Iraqi border were in retaliation for a February 15 rocket attack in Iraq that killed one civilian contractor and wounded a US service member and other coalition troops.