The US conducts a "defensive" attack in Iraq

2024-07-31 14:31:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

The US conducts a "defensive" attack in Iraq

Air base, Ain al-Asad, where US troops are stationed in Iraq

US forces have launched a "defensive" airstrike against fighters attempting to launch a drone that was deemed a threat to US and allied troops, a US official said.

The attack - which Iraqi sources said killed at least four people - was the first by US forces in Iraq since February, when the US military said it killed a pro-Iranian commander who had been involved in attacks on US troops.

"Tonight, U.S. forces in Iraq conducted an air defense strike" in Babylon province "targeting fighters who were attempting to launch a drone," a U.S. defense official said.

The official added that the Central Command assessed that the drone "posed a threat to the US and coalition forces".

"We maintain our right to self-defense and will not hesitate to take appropriate action," the official said.

Hashed al-Shaabi, an alliance of former pro-Iranian paramilitary groups that have been integrated into Iran's security forces, said the missile attack hit two Hashed patrols in Babylon province.

Kataeb Hezbollah, a powerful pro-Iranian group and part of the Hashed, said the US airstrikes targeted "a group of drone experts who were conducting new tests" to improve surveillance drones. Kataeb Hezbollah is also part of the Islamic Resistance of Iraq, an alliance of pro-Iranian groups that have claimed responsibility for recent attacks on US troops over the Gaza war. However, these attacks were suspended in January.

The US considers Kataeb Hezbollah a terrorist group and has repeatedly targeted it.

Last week, two attacks were carried out targeting US and allied forces in Iraq. Several rockets were fired at the Ain al-Assad base, home to US-led coalition troops fighting the Islamic State jihadist group.

On July 16, two drones were launched towards the same base. One of the drones was "successfully destroyed", while another hit the base, causing "minimal damage", according to the Pentagon.

Prior to these attacks, US troops in Syria and Iraq had been under attack since April. But the attacks intensified after the start of the war between Israel and Hamas - the Palestinian group declared a terrorist organization by the United States and the European Union - in Gaza, with more than 175 attacks being recorded./ Rel