The United States on Sunday evening conducted defensive precision airstrikes against facilities used by Iran-backed militia groups in the Iraq-Syria border region. The airstrikes, two on operational and weapons storage facilities in Syria and one in Iraq, were in response to drone attacks by the militia against US troops and bases in Iraq, Defense Department spokesman John Kirby said in a statement issued late Sunday. The airstrikes were carried out with F-15 and F-16 aircraft.
Several Iran-backed militia groups, including Kata’ib Hezbollah and Kata’ib Sayyid al-Shuhada, used these facilities. The militias have vowed to retaliate, according to reports. Four members of one of the militia groups were killed. Iran said the US was “creating crisis” and “disrupting security” in the region.
“As demonstrated by this evening’s strikes, President Biden has been clear that he will act to protect U.S. personnel. Given the ongoing series of attacks by Iran-backed groups targeting U.S. interests in Iraq, the President directed further military action to disrupt and deter such attacks. We are in Iraq at the invitation of the Government of Iraq for the sole purpose of assisting the Iraqi Security Forces in their efforts to defeat ISIS. The United States took necessary, appropriate, and deliberate action designed to limit the risk of escalation – but also to send a clear and unambiguous deterrent message,” the statement said.