U.S. Retaliates Against Iran-Backed Militias in Iraq with Targeted Strikes
In a significant shift in its military engagement in Iraq, the United States has executed two separate series of strikes against Iranian-backed militias. These actions mark the first reported direct U.S. military responses in Iraq to the numerous recent attacks on American and Coalition forces in the region.
The U.S. had previously shown restraint in its military response within Iraq, largely due to the complex political dynamics at play. However, the recent escalation of attacks against U.S. forces necessitated a more assertive stance.
On Tuesday evening, U.S. fighter aircraft targeted and demolished facilities used by Kataeb Hezbollah, a militia group known for its strong ties to Iran. The locations struck included an operations center and a command and control node situated in Al Anbar and Jurf al Saqr, south of Baghdad. Officials stated that Kataeb Hezbollah personnel were present during the strikes, though assessments of casualties are still ongoing.
In a separate incident, approximately 24 hours earlier, U.S. forces at Ain al-Asad air base, west of Baghdad, were attacked with a close-range ballistic missile. This attack led to eight injuries and minor infrastructural damage. In response, a U.S. military AC-130 aircraft engaged in self-defense, neutralizing several militants linked to Iran.
This increase in U.S. military action comes after a prolonged period of limited responses to 66 attacks on American forces in Iraq and Syria, attributed to Iraqi militia groups aligned with Iran. These attacks have resulted in minor injuries and traumatic brain injuries among at least 62 U.S. personnel.
The surge in hostilities can be traced back to October 17 and is linked to the U.S.'s support for Israel during its recent operations in Gaza, in response to attacks from the Palestinian militant group Hamas. This has led to the termination of a year-long unilateral ceasefire declared by various Iraqi factions, some of which were formed post the U.S. invasion in 2003 and others during the fight against Islamic State in 2014.
The recent U.S. strikes have prompted reactions from Iran-aligned Iraqi militias. A statement published on social media mourned the death of a militia member, marking the first reported Iraqi casualty linked directly to the wider conflict involving Gaza.
The U.S. maintains a military presence in the region, with 900 troops in Syria and 2,500 in Iraq. The stated aim of this deployment is to support local forces in their efforts to prevent a resurgence of the Islamic State, which had previously seized vast territories in both countries before being defeated.