Iran-backed militias in Iraq say they are suspending attacks on U.S. troops after a drone attack early Sunday morning killed three soldiers, but the Pentagon has cast doubt on those claims. There is.
Iraq-based Kataeb Hezbollah announced on Tuesday that it would suspend “military and security operations against the occupying forces to avoid embarrassment for the Iraqi government.”
Maj. Gen. Rider, Pentagon spokesperson, speaks during a press conference at the Pentagon on Tuesday, January 23, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Kevin Wolfe)
The group is one of several Iranian proxies in the region believed to be responsible for carrying out attacks on U.S. targets in Iraq, Syria and, most recently, Jordan over the past few months. The groups say the attack is in retaliation for US support for Israel in continued attacks on Hamas militants in Gaza and the rising death toll of Palestinian civilians.
Since October 17, there have been at least 165 attacks on US targets in Iraq, Syria, and Jordan. Of those, 66 were in Iraq, 98 in Syria and one in Jordan. Meanwhile, Houthi militants in Yemen have been firing on commercial ships in the Red Sea, prompting retaliatory attacks by the United States and its allies.
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According to Fox News’ Jennifer Griffin, Kataeb Hezbollah said it would support Palestinians in the Gaza Strip in other ways and told its fighters not to respond even if the U.S. attacked.
Asked about his reaction to the group’s message, Pentagon spokesman Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said, “Actions speak louder than words.”
A map showing the location of Tower 22 in northeastern Jordan, near the Syria-Iraq border. (Fox News)
“I don’t think I could be more clear that we have called on Iranian proxies to cease their attacks, and they have not responded. So we will respond in the time and manner of our choosing.” he said. “I say, ‘Actions speak louder than words,’ but as far as I know, there have been three attacks since January 28th. And I’ll leave it at that. .”
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President Biden is under increasing pressure to take action after a nighttime drone strike killed three U.S. soldiers and injured more than 40 others at a Jordanian base near the Syrian border.
LR: Sergeant William Rivers, Special Corp. Breonna Moffett and Spc. Kennedy Sanders. (Fox News)
Mr. Biden blamed the attack on Iranian-backed militias and vowed that the United States would “respond.” At the same time, administration officials have repeatedly said the United States has no intention of escalating tensions with Iran.
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The attack marked the first time that a U.S. soldier was killed by enemy fire and marked a major escalation in violence in the onslaught since October 17.
