US Retaliation Strike in Iraq Kills Kata’ib Hizbullah Commander
US Central Command (CENTCOM) conducted a targeted strike in Baghdad, Iraq overnight on Wednesday, eliminating a high-ranking Kata’ib Hizbullah commander accused of orchestrating attacks on US service members. The operation was carried out at 9:30 p.m. Baghdad Time and prompted immediate reports of powerful explosions in the area. Initial reports from CENTCOM indicate the precision strike resulted in no collateral damage or civilian casualties.
CENTCOM confirmed on X that forces “conducted a unilateral strike in Iraq in response to the attacks on US service members” and that those killed were “responsible for directly planning and participating in attacks on US forces in the region.” Saudi and Iranian media sources identified the targets as Abu Baqir Al-Saadi and Arkan Al-Alawi, commanders within the pro-Iranian militia. The statement concluded: “The United States will continue to take necessary action to protect our people. We will not hesitate to hold responsible all those who threaten our forces’ safety.”
This strike comes as a response to a drone attack near the Jordan-Syria border in January, which resulted in the deaths of three US troops and was attributed to Kata’ib Hizbullah. The group is part of Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces, a coalition of armed factions—many of which are aligned with Iran. Following the incident, Kata’ib Hizbullah announced a suspension of military operations against US troops.
