US bombs Iran-backed militia in Iraq as airstrikes bomb three bases and blow up drone storage after 150 attacks on troops
The US launched a wave of airstrikes on Iranian-backed militias in Iraq after a brutal attack on the US military last weekend.
The attacks targeted three military bases used by the radical Iraqi group Kataib Hezbollah and other Iranian-affiliated groups.
8
8
8
The blow blew up the three locations, including the headquarters and drone storage facilities.
The attacks targeted facilities in Jurf al-Sakhar, south of Baghdad, on Al-Qaim and another unspecified location in western Iraq.
The attack was a retaliation after one ballistic missile ambush at US Al-Asad air base Saturday, leaving four U.S. service members with traumatic brain injuries.
Britain and the US have rejected the 'reckless and illegal' actions of Houthi terrorists in the Red Sea joint operation in Yemen on Monday.
The US Central Command said this in a statement X Tuesday that they hit three locations used by the terrorist group Hezbollah and “other Iranian-affiliated groups in Iraq.”
It said: “US CENTCOM forces conducted unilateral airstrikes against three facilities used by the Iran-backed Kataib Hezbollah militia group and other Iran-affiliated groups in Iraq.
These attacks targeted KH headquarters, storage and training sites for one-way missile, missile and UAV capabilities.
The US also launched an attack on Houthi rebels in Yemen, targeting two anti-ship missiles that posed an “imminent threat” to ships in the area.
U.S. Central Command said the strikes were “missiles targeted and ready to launch in the southern Red Sea.”
“US forces identified the missiles in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen and determined that they posed an immediate threat to merchant ships and US Navy vessels in the region.”
Meanwhile, America and Britain said in a new joint statement on Tuesday evening that the Yemeni attacks come amid “ongoing illegal and reckless Houthi attacks” on ships in the Red Sea.
“In response to ongoing illegal and reckless Houthi attacks on vessels transiting the Red Sea and surrounding waterways, the armed forces of the United States and the United Kingdom, with support from Australia, Bahrain, Canada, the Netherlands and New Zealand, Zeeland, additional attacks carried out. against eight targets in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen.
“These attacks were intended to disrupt and degrade the Houthis' ability to continue their attacks on global trade and innocent sailors around the world, while preventing escalation,” they said of Monday's hit.
US air bases in the Middle East – especially in Iraq and Syria – have suffered an onslaught of missile attacks in recent weeks.
In response to Western support for Israel during the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas, several Iranian-backed militias have launched around 150 attacks.
On Christmas Day, Hezbollah targeted the Erbil air base in Iraq – wounding three American soldiers.
It comes as British and American aid workers have been asked to leave Yemen amid allied attacks from Houthi authorities.
According to a letter from the Houthi-controlled Foreign Ministry to the country's UN coordinator seen by Sky, the Iran-backed rebel group is asking aid workers with US or British citizenship to leave Yemen within 30 days.
Who are Kata'ib Hezbollah?
Kata'ib Hezbollah is a radical Shia paramilitary group based in southern Iraq.
The group, also known as the Hezbollah Brigades, was founded in 2007 and has close ties with Hezbollah and the IRGC.
The group is also affiliated with the Hashed al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilization Force), an alliance of Iranian-backed former paramilitary groups that have now been integrated into Iraq's regular armed forces.
With around 10,000 members, the group is responsible for attacks on US targets in Iraq and Syria, killing hundreds of soldiers.
Its leader Ahmad al-Hamidawi was declared a Specially Designated Global Terrorist in February 2020.
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin added on Tuesday: “US forces conducted necessary and proportionate attacks on three facilities used by the Iran-backed Kataib Hezbollah militia group and other Iran-affiliated groups in Iraq.
“These precision strikes are in direct response to a series of escalating attacks on U.S. and coalition personnel in Iraq and Syria by Iranian-sponsored militias.”
Following Saturday's attack on the US military, US Central Command said: “Most of the missiles were intercepted by the base's air defense systems, while others hit the base.
“A number of US personnel are being assessed for traumatic brain injuries.”
The Islamic Resistance in Iraq initially claimed responsibility for Saturday's brutal attack.
They also claimed responsibility for the drone attacks on the Al-Omar oil field, a US base in the east Syriathe drone strikes at Al-Harir Air Base, Iraq and the shooting down of an American MQ-9 Reaper drone in Kuwait.
There are roughly 2,500 U.S. troops in Iraq and about 900 in Syria — a hangover from the occupation in the area and an effort to keep tabs on Islamic extremist threats.
Defense chief Austin added: “The president and I will not hesitate to take whatever action is necessary to defend them and our interests.
“We are fully prepared to take further measures to protect our people and our facilities. We call on these groups and their Iranian sponsors to immediately cease these attacks.”
Despite reports from Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani's office that the country is taking steps to expel US troops, the Pentagon has said it has not yet been formally notified of such plans.
Another one just a few weeks ago A US strike in the capital Baghdad took out Iran-backed militia commander Abu Taqwa Al-Saedi – who masterminded recent attacks on US troops stationed in the region.
The blow was strongly condemned by the Iraqi government, with leader Sudani calling it a dangerous escalation.
The Iraqi Foreign Ministry said: “Iraq reserves the right to take a strong position and take all measures that deter anyone who attempts to harm its country and security forces.”
And Abu Aqeel al Moussawi, a local Iraqi militia commander, warned: “We will make the Americans regret this aggression.”
It is not the first time that Iraq has been hit by strikes amid rising tensions in the Middle East.
Just a few days ago The Iranian Revolutionary Guard bombed Israel's so-called 'spy headquarters' in Iraq with ballistic missiles aimed near the American consulate.
The twisted terrorist army claimed responsibility for the brutal ambush that killed four people and injured six others.
The war between Israel and Hamas As a result of the October 7 massacre, Syria, Yemen and Lebanon, along with Iraq, are involved in fighting in the Middle East.
Israeli strikes have hit Lebanon, killing more than 130 Hezbollah fighters included some important commanders.
And another twenty Hezbollah militants were killed in attacks in Syria.
Despite attacks on US bases, the Pentagon has said its troops are maintaining their presence in Iraq at the government's invitation.
Rishi Sunak And Joe Biden warned Iranian-backed militants about this would hit Yemen again “if necessary” after Monday's mission.
The Pentagon said they successfully hit eight targets, including an underground bunker.
And it follows the successful first joint operation on January 12 with allied countries bombing more Houthi targets in a carefully planned mission.
Minister of Foreign Affairs David Cameron said the strikes sent the “clearest possible message”.
He added: “Since we last took action ten days ago, there have been more than a dozen attacks on shipping by the Houthis in the Red Sea.
“These attacks are illegal and unacceptable.
“What we have done again is send the clearest message possible that we will continue to reduce their ability to carry out these attacks, while sending the clearest message possible that we will back up our words and warnings with action.”
8
8
8
8
8