U.S. Executes Retaliatory Airstrikes Against Iran-Supported Militias In Iraq

January 23, 2024

This photo taken on July 8, 2021, shows a view of Ain al-Asad air base, which hosts US troops in Iraq, in western Anbar province, a day after 14 rockets were fired at the base. It shows. – On July 7, the coalition announced that 14 rockets were fired at an air base housing U.S. forces in the western province of Anbar, injuring two soldiers slightly. A coalition spokesman tweeted that rockets “hit the base and surrounding area” of Ain al-Asad base, adding that local homes and a mosque were also damaged. Iraqi security forces said the rocket launcher was hidden inside a truck loaded with sacks of flour. (Photo Credit: Ayman HENNA/AFP) (Photo Credit: AYMAN HENNA/AFP, Getty Images)

OAN's Elizabeth Bolbelding
4pm – Tuesday, January 23, 2024

The United States has launched a phased air campaign against Iranian-backed militias in Iraq after a ballistic missile was fired at Al-Asad Air Base, leaving four U.S. service members with traumatic brain injuries.

On Tuesday, the United States conducted airstrikes in Iraq against Iranian-backed militias in retaliation for missiles fired at Al-Asad Air Base on Sunday, leaving four U.S. service members with traumatic brain injuries. TBI), two U.S. officials told the paper. press.

The attack on U.S. forces on a large Iraqi air base in western Iraq on Sunday involved 17 ballistic missiles and rockets fired from inside the country, officials said.

As a result, two ballistic missiles were able to pass through American air defenses, although most of the projectiles stopped.

Four U.S. service members have returned to duty after being tested for traumatic brain injuries, and an Iraqi official was also injured in the explosion, the Pentagon said. The attack caused structural damage to “non-essential facilities.” Therefore, U.S. authorities could potentially expect more service members to come forward with symptoms of traumatic brain injury.

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin issued a statement regarding the incident.

“Today, at the direction of President Biden, the U.S. military conducted necessary and proportionate attacks on three facilities used by the Iranian-backed militia Kataib Hezbollah and other Iranian-affiliated organizations in Iraq. “The precision strikes are a direct response to a series of escalating attacks against U.S. and coalition personnel in Iraq and Syria by Iranian-backed militias,” Austin announced.

“The President and I will not hesitate to take the necessary actions to protect their interests and ours,” he added. “We have no intention of escalating the conflict in the region. We are ready to take further steps to protect our people and facilities. , we call on you to stop these attacks immediately.”

Since mid-October 2023, there have been more than 150 rocket and drone attacks on U.S. military bases in Iraq and Syria, allegedly by Palestinian supporters of the Israeli-Hamas conflict in the Gaza Strip. It was carried out by a militia group that claims Iranian backing. However, the use of ballistic missiles was seen as a clear escalation.

There are still 2,500 U.S. troops in Iraq and another 900 in Syria, working to prevent a resurgence of Islamic State and religious extremist ideals.

However, immediately after the US drone attack on January 4th,^th Iraq's parliament has questioned the legitimacy of keeping US troops in the country after the killing of a top leader of an Iranian-backed militia responsible for attacks on US forces.

As a result, these groups have not stopped launching attacks even after certain drone strikes and other acts of retaliation within Syria and Iraq.

The United States has also launched retaliatory strikes in Yemen against the Houthi rebels, who have carried out more than 30 attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, and sees the attacks as a sign of growing tensions in the region.

Stay informed. Receive breaking news directly to your inbox for free. Subscribe here. https://www.oann.com/alerts

Please share this post!