U.S. to strike Iranian-aligned group after 3 troops wounded in drone attack in Iraq
WASHINGTON — President Biden has ordered retaliatory airstrikes against Iranian-backed militia groups following a drone attack in northern Iraq that left three U.S. service members injured. The attack was claimed by the Iranian-backed militia Kataib Hezbollah and its affiliated groups.
The drone attack took place earlier on Monday, and one of the troops suffered critical injuries in the assault. In response, the U.S. targeted militia sites in Iraq, resulting in the death of one militant and the injury of 18 others. These airstrikes come amid rising concerns of a regional escalation following the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Iran has announced that one of its top generals, Seyed Razi Mousavi, was killed in an Israeli strike near the Syrian capital of Damascus. Mousavi was a close companion of Gen. Qassem Soleimani, who was killed in a U.S. drone strike in Iraq in January 2020. Iranian officials have threatened revenge for Mousavi’s death but did not immediately carry out any retaliatory strikes.
President Biden, who was at Camp David for Christmas, was informed of the attack shortly after it occurred and directed the Pentagon and his national security team to prepare response options. The strikes on the militia sites were executed less than 13 hours after the initial attack on the U.S. personnel.
The U.S. Central Command stated that the targeted facilities were destroyed, and it is likely that a number of Kataib Hezbollah militants were killed in the strikes. National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson emphasized that the protection of American personnel is a top priority for President Biden, and the U.S. will respond as necessary to future attacks.
These recent attacks on U.S. troops in Iraq follow months of escalating threats and actions against American forces in the region. Iranian-backed militias have carried out over 100 attacks on U.S. bases in Iraq and Syria since the beginning of the Israel-Hamas conflict.
The Biden administration has been cautious in its response, aiming to prevent the regional situation from escalating further. However, this measured approach has faced criticism from Republicans who believe the administration should take stronger action.
The clashes between U.S. forces and Iranian-backed militias put the Iraqi government in a challenging position. Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, who came to power with the support of Iranian-backed parties, condemned both the militia attack and the subsequent U.S. strikes.
The U.S. has a significant presence in Iraq, with troops assisting in training Iraqi forces and combatting the remnants of ISIS. The recent attacks by Iranian-backed groups have not resulted in any fatalities among U.S. personnel, but they pose a serious threat to the stability of the region.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin stated that the U.S. is fully prepared to take further necessary measures to protect its people and facilities while also emphasizing the administration’s desire to avoid escalating the conflict.
The situation in Iraq remains tense, with the U.S. and Iran engaging in a dangerous back-and-forth that raises concerns about a wider regional conflict. As tensions continue to escalate, the international community is closely watching for further developments.
