US strikes three facilities in Iraq following attacks on American forces by Iran-backed militias
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin says the U.S. military has struck three facilities in Iraq, targeting an Iranian-backed militia in retaliation for missile and drone attacks on American troops in Iraq and Syria over the past several days
By TARA COPP AND LOLITA C. BALDOR
Published - Jan 23, 2024, 05:40 PM ET
Last Updated - Jan 23, 2024, 11:22 PM EST
WASHINGTON (AP) —
The U.S. military struck three facilities in Iraq on Tuesday, targeting an Iranian-backed militia in retaliation for missile and drone attacks on American troops in Iraq and Syria over the past several days, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said.
“At President Biden’s direction, U.S. military forces conducted necessary and proportionate strikes on three facilities used by the Iranian-backed Kataib Hezbollah militia group and other Iran-affiliated groups in Iraq,” Austin said in a statement. “These precision strikes are in direct response to a series of escalatory attacks against U.S. and Coalition personnel in Iraq and Syria by Iranian-sponsored militias.”
