U.S. Strikes Iraqi Targets in Retaliation for Militia Attacks

In a strongly-worded statement released on Tuesday, the Iraqi government condemned the recent airstrikes conducted by the United States on three sites used by anti-terror resistance forces.

The strikes, which targeted facilities associated with Kata'ib Hezbollah and affiliated groups in Hillah city, south of Baghdad, resulted in one serviceman dead and 18 others wounded.

Describing the U.S. actions as an "unacceptable violation of Iraqi sovereignty," the government labeled the strikes as "clear hostile acts" that have the potential to harm bilateral relations between the two nations. An anonymous Iraqi security source confirmed the casualties, indicating that 18 people sustained injuries, with a member of the Popular Mobilization Units (PMU), also known as Hashd al-Sha’abi, losing their life.

The incident comes on the heels of a series of attacks against U.S. personnel in Iraq and Syria, including an assault on Erbil Air Base by Iran-affiliated Kata'ib Hezbollah and affiliated groups. In response, the United States defended its actions in a statement issued by Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III.

In the statement, Secretary Austin asserted that the strikes were necessary and proportionate, targeting facilities used by Kata'ib Hezbollah and its affiliates. He cited a pattern of attacks by Iranian-sponsored militias, emphasizing the need to disrupt and degrade the capabilities of these groups.

The U.S. strikes resulted in three injuries to American personnel, with one service member reported to be in critical condition. Secretary Austin expressed condolences for the injured and emphasized the commitment of the U.S. to defend its interests, troops, and facilities. While stating the intention not to escalate conflict in the region, he underscored the readiness to take further necessary measures.

As per reports, the U.S. military utilized F-15E Strike Eagles to conduct precision attacks on IRGC Quds Force targets in Iraq. The strikes were a direct response to the attack on a U.S. Army base in Harrir, Erbil, with one of the targeted locations being a Kata'ib Hezbollah building in Hillah, Iraq, as shown in images shared by the U.S. Air Force.