- U.S. conducts airstrikes in Iraq against Iranian-backed militias in retaliation for missile attacks on Al-Assad airbase, injuring U.S. personnel.
- Defense Secretary calls for a halt to escalating attacks by Iranian-sponsored militias and emphasizes the protection of U.S. personnel and facilities.
- The presence of American troops in Iraq questioned by parliament after ongoing attacks, while U.S. retaliatory strikes continue against Houthi militants in Yemen.
Additional Coverage:
The U.S. conducted airstrikes in Iraq against Iranian-backed militias in retaliation for missiles fired at Al-Assad airbase that injured four U.S. personnel with traumatic brain injuries, according to two U.S. officials. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin stated that the strikes were a response to escalating attacks against U.S. and Coalition personnel by Iranian-sponsored militias. Austin emphasized that the U.S. will protect its people and facilities and called on the groups and their Iranian sponsors to cease the attacks.
The attack on the Iraqi airbase involved 17 ballistic missiles and rockets, with two ballistic missiles managing to bypass U.S. air defenses, causing structural damage to noncritical facilities. Four U.S. service members returned to their duties after being evaluated for traumatic brain injuries, and an Iraqi official was also injured. Additional cases of TBI symptoms among service members are expected.
Since mid-October, Iranian-backed militias have carried out over 150 rocket and drone attacks on U.S. bases in Iraq and Syria, claiming to support Palestinians in the Israeli-Hamas conflict in Gaza. However, the use of ballistic missiles, as seen in the recent attack, is seen as an escalation. American troops, around 2,500 in Iraq and 900 in Syria, remain to prevent the resurgence of the Islamic State.
The presence of American troops in Iraq was questioned by Iraq’s parliament after a U.S. drone strike on January 4 killed a top leader of an Iranian-backed militia responsible for the attacks on U.S. forces. Despite retaliatory strikes, the militias have continued to launch attacks. These attacks reflect rising tensions in the region for the United States, which has also conducted retaliatory strikes against Houthi militants in Yemen who have targeted commercial shipping.
On Monday, the U.S. and U.K. carried out another major strike against Houthi locations associated with shipping attacks, marking the eighth retaliatory airstrike since January 11. U.S. officials claim that these strikes have weakened the Houthi’s ability to carry out attacks, although they have persisted. This situation is still developing, and updates will be provided.