U.S. strikes back at Iran-backed militias in Iraq
OAN’s Elizabeth Volberding
4:00 PM – Tuesday, January 23, 2024
In response to ballistic missiles that were fired into the Al-Assad airbase, which resulted in traumatic brain injuries to four American servicemen, the United States launched staged airstrikes against Iran-backed militias in Iraq.
On Tuesday, the U.S. conducted airstrikes in Iraq against militias backed by Iran as retaliation for missiles fired against the Al-Assad airbase on Sunday, which caused traumatic brain injuries (TBI) to four U.S. personnel, according to two U.S. officials who spoke to the press.
According to the officials, the attack on U.S. troops on Sunday at the large Iraqi airbase in western Iraq consisted of 17 ballistic missiles and rockets that were fired from inside the country.
As a result, two ballistic missiles managed to pass through American air defenses, despite the fact that most of the projectiles were stopped.
According to the Pentagon, four U.S. service members returned to their duties following evaluations for TBI’s, and an Iraqi official was also injured in the explosions. The attack caused structural damage to “noncritical facilities.” Therefore, U.S. officials could potentially expect additional service members to come forward with TBI symptoms as well.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin made a statement regarding the incident.
“Today, 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. 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,” Austin announced.
“The President and I will not hesitate to take necessary action to defend them and our interests,” he added. “We do not seek to escalate conflict in the region. We are fully prepared to take further measures to protect our people and our facilities. We call on these groups and their Iranian sponsors to immediately cease these attacks.”
Since mid-October 2023, there have been over 150 rocket and drone offenses on U.S. bases in Iraq and Syria which were performed by Iranian-supported militias who claimed that they are advocates of Palestinians in the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza. However, their use of ballistic missiles was viewed as a clear escalation.
There are still currently 2,500 U.S. armed forces serving in Iraq and another 900 in Syria that are working to stop a revival of the Islamic State and religious extremist ideals.
However, briefly after a U.S. drone strike on January 4th that killed a top leader of one of the Iranian-backed militia groups responsible for the attacks on U.S. forces, the Iraqi Parliament questioned the legitimacy of keeping American troops in the country.
As a result, the groups have not stopped launching attacks after that particular drone strike or other retaliatory actions carried out inside of Syria and Iraq.
The United States, which has also launched retaliatory strikes in Yemen against Houthi militants responsible for over 30 attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, see the attacks as an indication of growing tensions in the region.
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How can the U.S. and its allies prioritize the safety and security of their personnel while also seeking peaceful solutions to the tensions between Iran and the U.S. in the region
Between Iran and the U.S. in the region. The U.S. has made it clear that they will not tolerate attacks on their personnel and facilities and will respond accordingly.
The recent airstrikes against Iran-backed militias in Iraq were a necessary and proportionate response to the missile attacks on the Al-Assad airbase, which caused traumatic brain injuries to four American servicemen. The U.S. conducted the airstrikes in order to send a strong message to the militias and their Iranian sponsors that attacks against U.S. and coalition personnel will not be tolerated.
According to U.S. officials, the missile attack consisted of 17 ballistic missiles and rockets fired from inside Iraq. While most of the projectiles were stopped by American air defenses, two ballistic missiles managed to pass through. It is concerning that despite efforts to defend against such attacks, some missiles were able to breach the defenses.
The Pentagon has reported that four U.S. service members have returned to duty following evaluations for TBIs, and an Iraqi official was also injured in the explosions. The attack caused structural damage to noncritical facilities, and it is possible that additional service members may come forward with TBI symptoms in the future.
In response to the incident, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin stated that the strikes on facilities used by the Iranian-backed militias and other Iran-affiliated groups were necessary and proportionate. He emphasized that the U.S. does not seek to escalate conflict in the region but is fully prepared to take further measures to protect their people and facilities.
These recent attacks are part of a larger pattern of rocket and drone offenses on U.S. bases in Iraq and Syria since October 2023. These attacks have been carried out by Iranian-supported militias who claim to advocate for Palestinians in the Israel-Hamas conflict. However, the use of ballistic missiles is seen as a clear escalation.
Despite the ongoing attacks, the U.S. has a significant military presence in Iraq and Syria, with 2,500 armed forces serving in Iraq and another 900 in Syria. These forces are working to combat the resurgence of the Islamic State and religious extremist ideals in the region.
However, the legitimacy of keeping American troops in Iraq has been questioned by the Iraqi Parliament following a U.S. drone strike that killed a top leader of one of the Iranian-backed militia groups. Since then, the attacks on U.S. forces have continued, both in response to the drone strike and as part of broader retaliatory actions.
The U.S. has also taken action against Houthi militants in Yemen, launching retaliatory strikes against attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. These attacks, along with the ongoing attacks in Iraq and Syria, highlight the growing tensions between Iran and the U.S. in the region.
It is crucial for all parties involved to de-escalate the situation and work towards a peaceful resolution. Continued attacks and retaliatory actions will only exacerbate the conflict and put more lives at risk. Diplomatic efforts must be intensified to address the underlying issues and prevent further escalation. The U.S. and its allies must continue to prioritize the safety and security of their personnel while also seeking peaceful solutions to the ongoing tensions in the region.
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