US Strikes Iran-Backed Forces In Iraq After Attack On American Troops

The US has struck facilities of Iran-back forces in Iraq after an attack that wounded American personnel.

The US has struck facilities of Iran-back forces in Iraq after an attack that wounded American personnel.

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The US military carried out strikes on three sites used by Iran-backed forces in Iraq on Monday after an attack wounded American personnel on Arbil Air Base earlier in the day, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has said, adding that President Joe Biden would not hesitate to take the required action to defend the country's troops and interests. "US military forces conducted necessary and proportionate strikes on three facilities used by Kataeb Hezbollah and affiliated groups in Iraq," Austin said in a statement.

He posted On X, "Today, at @POTUS’ direction, U.S. military forces conducted necessary & proportionate strikes on 3 facilities used by Kataib Hezbollah & affiliated groups in Iraq. These precision strikes are a response to a series of attacks against U.S. personnel in Iraq & Syria by Iranian-sponsored militias, including an attack by Iran-affiliated Kataib Hezbollah and affiliated groups on Erbil Air Base earlier today."

Three US personnel have been wounded while one was in critical condition in the attack, he said. 

Today, at @POTUS’ direction, U.S. military forces conducted necessary & proportionate strikes on 3 facilities used by Kataib Hezbollah & affiliated groups in Iraq. These precision strikes are a response to a series of attacks against U.S. personnel in Iraq & Syria by…

— Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III (@SecDef) December 26, 2023

"And let me be clear – the President and I will not hesitate to take necessary action to defend the United States, our troops, and our interests. There is no higher priority. While we do not seek to escalate conflict in the region, we are committed and fully prepared to take further necessary measures to protect our people and our facilities," he added in his statement.

This is not the first time the United States has targeted the Iran-backed forces. Last month also, the US carried out an air strike at a facility operated by Iran-backed militias in response to attacks on the American troops in Syria and Iraq triggered by the Israel-Hamas war. Pentagon has said the US carried out two air strikes in Syria against Iran and its aligned groups on a week before, reported Reuters. It was the third such assault by the US in Syria since October 26. The second one was launched on Wednesday, Nov 8.

The two are also engaged in a war of words after the US said an Iranian drone attacked a chemical tanker in the Indian Ocean.