President Joe Biden “will not hesitate to take necessary action to defend the US, our troops, and our interests,” according to the US Defense Secretary.
What Happened?
Following a previous attack in which three American servicemen were injured, US forces launched strikes on three locations in Iraq that were utilized by forces backed by Iran. The strikes were characterized as “proportionate” and “necessary” by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.
“Today, three locations utilized by Kataib Hezbollah and allied factions in Iraq were targeted by required and proportionate attacks by US armed troops. Austin stated in a statement, “These precision strikes are a response to a series of attacks by Iranian-sponsored militias against US personnel in Iraq and Syria, including an attack on Erbil Air Base earlier today by Iran-affiliated Kataib Hezbollah and affiliated groups.”
President Biden “will not hesitate to take necessary action to defend the US,” according to the US Defense Secretary. To be clear, the President and I will not think twice about taking the necessary steps to protect our interests, our troops, and the United States. No other priority exists. We are determined to taking all necessary steps to defend our personnel and our facilities, even if we do not intend to intensify the conflict in the area,” the statement read.
Foreign Terrorist Organization
Established in 2007, the Kataib Hezbollah is a Shiite militia that has the backing of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards. Kataib Hezbollah’s Secretary General, Abu Mahdi al Muhandis, was sanctioned by the US in 2009 for using violence against coalition troops commanded by the US and the organization was designated as a “Foreign Terrorist Organization.”
(PHOTO: Kurdistan24)
Amidst the ongoing conflict in Gaza between US partner Israel and Hamas, attacks on US forces in Iraq have increased. A devastating attack on Israeli cities that claimed over 1,100 lives, the majority of them civilians, set off the Gaza confrontation. The administration of the Hamas-run region in Gaza claims that over 20,000 people have died as a result of Israel’s savage reaction.
According to news agency AFP, the killings in Gaza have prompted intense indignation throughout the Middle East and given forces hostile to US troops’ presence in the region a reason to attack them.
another 900 American troops are in Syria and another 2,500 in Iraq as part of the campaign to stop the Islamic State organization from rising again.
