This marked the first instance of a U.S. service member being critically wounded amid a series of assaults on American troops stationed in Iraq and Syria by Iran-backed factions since October 17. Preceding these attacks, threats from Iran-backed terrorists warned of reprisals against U.S. troops if Israel, a U.S. ally, intervened in Gaza following a terrorist attack by Hamas on October 7, claiming over 1,200 lives, predominantly civilians.
Despite over 100 recorded attacks against U.S. troops, President Biden has authorized fewer than ten counterstrikes, primarily targeting weapons and ammunition storage facilities. Following the drone attack that left a service member in critical condition, President Biden sanctioned a counterstrike against “three locations utilized by Kataib Hezbollah and affiliated groups.” According to Central Command (CENTCOM), early assessments suggest that the strike “likely” resulted in the death of several Kataib Hezbollah militants.
Nevertheless, the Iraqi government disputed this account, asserting that the U.S. strikes caused the death of an Iraqi serviceman, injured 18 individuals, and labeled the actions as a “clear hostile act” against Iraqi sovereignty. The government’s statement criticized not only the U.S. strikes but also condemned attacks on bases where U.S. troops are stationed. Iraqi security sources informed Reuters that the U.S. strikes targeted the headquarters of Kataib Hezbollah in the Iraqi city of Hilla, south of Baghdad, resulting in the death of a Kataib Hezbollah fighter and injuries to 16 others.
{Matzav.com}
