In a retaliatory move, the United States military conducted a series of airstrikes in Iraq following an attack by Iran-backed militants on American soldiers. The decision to carry out the strikes was made by President Biden, who ordered attacks on three locations associated with Qataib Hezbollah, a militant group aligned with Iran.
The attack by the Shia militia group, Qataib Hezbollah, took place at the Erbil Air Base in Iraq, which houses US forces. The assault resulted in three US troops being injured, with one in critical condition. This incident marked a significant escalation compared to previous attacks by the same group and other Iran-backed factions, which generally resulted in minor injuries.
Seeking to respond to this brazen act of aggression, the US military conducted airstrikes around 8:45 p.m. Eastern time, targeting facilities used by Qataib Hezbollah for launching attacks against US and coalition bases. The strikes destroyed vital infrastructure, including facilities used to deploy drones.
Twitter Post On Biden orders airstrikes on Iran-aligned militants in Iraq
Notably, this is not the first time the US military has used airstrikes against targets in Iraq. In the past, Iraqi government officials have condemned such actions, citing violations of national sovereignty. However, the US government emphasized its determination to degrade the capabilities of these militant groups and prevent future attacks on American and coalition bases in Iraq and Syria.
It is important to highlight that since October 17th, there have been over 100 attacks on US and coalition forces in Iraq and Syria, occurring almost daily. The relentless nature of these assaults has forced the US to take swift action to protect its personnel deployed in the region.
A White House statement issued in response to the airstrikes affirmed President Biden's unwavering commitment to the safety of American personnel in harm's way. The statement also warned that the United States would respond as necessary and at a time of its choosing should these attacks persist.
The US government has been urging the Iraqi government to take stronger measures against these militant groups. Nevertheless, the gravity of the situation compelled the US to assume a more proactive role, taking matters into its own hands for the second time in just over a month.
In conclusion, the recent airstrikes conducted by the US military in Iraq were a direct response to an attack on American soldiers by Iran-backed militants. With US troops sustaining injuries, including one in critical condition, President Biden ordered strikes on three locations associated with Qataib Hezbollah. The US government's goal is to degrade the capabilities of these groups and prevent future attacks on American forces. Although the action has drawn criticism in the past, the safety of American personnel remains the highest priority. The US stands ready to respond if these attacks persist.
