US Military Conducts Airstrikes on Militant Group Facilities in Iraq After Attack on US Troops
The Pentagon has confirmed that the US military conducted airstrikes on three facilities used by the Iraq-based Kataib Hezbollah and affiliated groups. This action comes after an attack on Monday injured three US troops, leaving one in critical condition.
According to a statement from US Central Command, the airstrikes, ordered by President Joe Biden, “likely killed a number of Kataib Hezbollah militants.” The Iranian-backed group had claimed credit for using a one-way attack drone to target the US forces on Erbil Air Base on Monday morning.
A statement from US National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson clarified that the airstrikes specifically targeted locations utilized by Kataib Hezbollah and affiliated groups for unmanned aerial drone activities. The strikes, carried out at 8:45 p.m. ET, reportedly did not affect any civilian lives, according to CENTCOM.
However, the Iraqi government has contradicted these claims, stating that one security member was killed and 18 others, including civilians, were injured. Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani’s office referred to the airstrikes as “hostile acts” that “infringe upon Iraq’s sovereignty and are deemed unacceptable under any circumstances or justification.”
The relationship between the US and Iraq could be jeopardized as a result of these attacks, as the Iraqi government emphasized that such actions do not serve the interests of both countries.
Kataib Hezbollah, a Shia militant group, poses a high threat to US personnel in both Iraq and Syria, according to the US Director of National Intelligence (DNI) website. The group aims to expel US and coalition forces from Iraq and establish an Iranian-aligned government there, while also operating in Syria, the DNI says.
Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin briefed President Biden on Monday afternoon, and the airstrikes were carried out in response to the Erbil attack and other attacks against US forces in Iraq and Syria.
The US views the Popular Mobilization Units (PMU), a predominantly Shia paramilitary force that includes Kataib Hezbollah, as Iran-backed militias and holds them responsible for carrying out attacks on US sites in Iraq and Syria.
This story is ongoing and will be updated with additional information. CNN’s Aqeel Najim contributed to this report.