Way to derail the conversation about Syria with a country way that has little to do with it. (yes even if OP said middle east)
Even with Yemen, the United States started. The yemeni rebels fought against an oppressive government, and the United States had to intervene in the interest of Saudi for many years before the yemenis ever responded. So your example does not disprove the claim.
Sorry… you’re saying it’s never self-defense if you were the initial aggressor years ago?