U.S. Army soldiers enjoy as fellow Coalition soldiers go by near the entryway to the International Zone on May 30, 2021 in Baghdad, Iraq.
John Moore|Getty Images News|Getty Images
The U.S. military performed vindictive accuracy air campaign on Monday in Iraq after a one-way drone attack previously in the day by Iran- lined up militants that left one U.S. service member in crucial condition and injured 2 other U.S. workers, authorities stated.
At President Joe Biden’s instructions, the U.S. military performed the strikes at 1: 45 GMT, most likely killing “a number of Kataib Hezbollah militants” and damaging several centers utilized by the group.
“These strikes are intended to hold accountable those elements directly responsible for attacks on coalition forces in Iraq and Syria and degrade their ability to continue attacks. We will always protect our forces,” stated General Michael Erik Kurilla, head of U.S. Central Command, in a declaration.
A U.S. base in Iraq’s Erbil that houses U.S. forces came under attack from a one-way drone previously on Monday, resulting in the U.S. casualties.
The Pentagon did not divulge information about the identity of the service member who was seriously injured or provide more information on the injuries sustained in the attack.
“My prayers are with the brave Americans who were injured,” U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin stated in a declaration.
The White House National Security Council stated Biden was informed on the attack on Monday early morning and bought the Pentagon to prepare reaction choices versus those accountable.
“The President places no higher priority than the protection of American personnel serving in harm’s way. The United States will act at a time and in a manner of our choosing should these attacks continue,” NSC representative Adrienne Watson stated.
Monday’s military attack and U.S. retaliation is the most recent back-and-forth given that a rise in violence started in mid-October, when Iran- lined up militias began targeting U.S. possessions in Iraq and Syria over Washington’s support of Israel in its war versus Hamas in Gaza.
