US Airstrikes Target Kataib Hezbollah Sites in Iraq Following Attack on US Troops

In response to an attack on US troops that left three soldiers injured, one critically, the United States carried out airstrikes on three facilities associated with the Iraq-based Kataib Hezbollah and its affiliated groups. The strikes, authorized by President Joe Biden, were aimed at locations used for unmanned aerial drone activities, with early assessments suggesting that they likely resulted in casualties among Kataib Hezbollah militants.

Kataib Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed Shia militant group, had claimed responsibility for the attack on Erbil Air Base, where a one-way attack drone targeted US forces. The incident prompted a swift response from the US military, targeting the group’s facilities at 8:45 p.m. ET. The White House emphasized that there were no indications of civilian casualties resulting from the strikes.

However, the Iraqi government reported that one security serviceman was killed, and 18 others, including civilians, were injured. Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani’s office condemned the airstrikes as “hostile acts” that violated Iraq’s sovereignty and could harm bilateral relations. The Iraqi statement labeled the strikes as clearly hostile, unconstructive, and unacceptable.

Kataib Hezbollah is considered a significant threat to US personnel in both Iraq and Syria, according to the US Director of National Intelligence. The group aims to expel US and coalition forces from Iraq and establish an Iranian-aligned government. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin briefed President Biden on the situation, presenting several options, and the president authorized the airstrikes during that call.

In response to the Erbil attack and previous incidents targeting US forces, Secretary Austin deemed the airstrikes necessary and proportionate. The Iraqi security serviceman mentioned in the prime minister’s statement was identified as a member of Hashd Al-Shaabi, also known as Popular Mobilization Units (PMU), a predominantly Shia paramilitary force recognized by the Iraqi parliament. However, the US considers some factions within the PMU as Iran-backed militias responsible for attacks on US sites in Iraq and Syria.

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