The United States conducted airstrikes in Iraq targeting facilities used by Iran-backed groups on Tuesday, following repeated attacks on American forces. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin stated that the strikes were in direct response to escalating attacks against U.S. and coalition personnel in Iraq and Syria by Iranian-backed militia groups.
The U.S. Central Command released a statement noting that the airstrikes targeted headquarters, storage, and training sites for rocket, missile, and unmanned aerial vehicle capabilities of the Iran-backed groups. Austin expressed gratitude for the skill and professionalism with which the attacks were executed and emphasized the preparedness to defend U.S. personnel and facilities.
The airstrikes came after U.S. personnel at Al-Asad Air Base in Iraq were injured in a ballistic missile and rocket attack, resulting in traumatic brain injuries for four U.S. soldiers. This is the first time the U.S. has conducted bombings in Iraq since earlier in the month when a member of an Iran-backed group was attacked for the shedding of “American blood.”
The attacks also coincide with rising tensions in the region and concerns about the outbreak of a broader conflict, as U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria have been attacked at least 151 times since October. The situation is further complicated by ongoing attacks by the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen, raising concerns about Iranian-backed groups in the Middle East and their impact on regional stability.