The US Launches Attacks on Iraqi Militias Supported by Iran

On Tuesday, the United States conducted airstrikes in Iraq, targeting facilities used by Iranian-backed militias. The Defense Secretary, Lloyd Austin, announced this in a statement, stating that the strikes were a direct response to a series of attacks against US and coalition personnel by Iranian-backed militia groups in Iraq and Syria.

The airstrikes focused on three facilities used by Kataib Hezbollah and other Tehran-affiliated groups in Iraq. According to the US Central Command, the strikes aimed at headquarters, storage, and training locations for rocket, missile, and attack UAV capabilities.

The decision to carry out the airstrikes came after US personnel at Al-Asad Air Base in Iraq were injured in a ballistic missile and rocket attack. While most projectiles were intercepted, some caused injuries, with four US troops diagnosed with traumatic brain injury. The assessment points to Kataib Hezbollah’s responsibility for the missile attack.

Defense Secretary Austin emphasized that the US does not seek to escalate conflict but is prepared to take necessary action to defend its people and interests. He called on the Iranian-backed groups to cease their attacks.

These recent strikes are part of a broader pattern, with US forces facing attacks over 151 times since mid-October. The US has targeted Iranian-backed militias in Iraq and Syria, blaming Iran for supporting these groups. Tensions between the US and the Iraqi government have risen, with the Iraqi Prime Minister expressing a desire for the US-led coalition to exit quickly. The US maintains its presence in Iraq at the invitation of the government to combat ISIS.

In addition to the situation in Iraq, the US has been dealing with regular attacks by the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen on commercial shipping. The strikes on Tuesday in Iraq followed previous actions against the Houthis by the US and UK, aiming at weapons storage sites, drone systems, and missiles. These recent events reflect heightened tensions and concerns about broader conflict in the region.