First US air strike in Iraq since February targets drone threat, leaves four dead

Story by TOI World Desk • 3h • 2 min read

First US air strike in Iraq since February targets drone threat, leaves four dead (msn.com)

American forces carried out a "defensive" air strike against combatants who were attempting to launch drones deemed a threat to US and allied troops, according to a US official. This strike, reported by Iraqi sources to have resulted in at least four deaths, is the first by American forces in Iraq since February. During that prior incident, the US military claimed to have killed a pro-Iran commander involved in attacks on US troops.

"Tonight, US forces in Iraq conducted a defensive air strike in Babylon province, targeting combatants attempting to launch one-way attack uncrewed aerial systems," a US defense official was quoted as saying. The Central Command evaluated that the drones "posed a threat to US and coalition forces." The official added, "We maintain the inherent right to self-defense and will not hesitate to take appropriate action."The Hashed al-Shaabi, an alliance of pro-Iran former paramilitary groups integrated into Iraq's security forces, reported that apparent missile strikes had killed four people at a base in Babylon. However, they did not mention any drone launch attempts. "Available information suggests that two patrols were targeted with missiles fired from drones," the Hashed said in a statement.An official from the Hashed al-Shaabi was quoted as saying that "four people were killed and others were critically wounded in blasts that hit a base belonging to the Hashed al-Shaabi." A security source confirmed the four deaths and noted that the death toll could rise.

This air strike follows two recent attacks targeting US and allied forces in Iraq. Last week, several rockets were launched toward the Ain al-Assad base, which hosts US-led coalition troops combating the Islamic State group. On July 16, two drones were launched toward the same facility; one was "successfully destroyed," while the other caused "minimal damage," according to the Pentagon.US troops in Iraq and Syria had not been targeted since April before these recent incidents. However, attacks were frequent during the initial months of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, with more than 175 attacks reported. The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, a loose alliance of Iran-backed groups, claimed most of these attacks, citing solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.In January, a drone strike blamed on these groups killed three US soldiers at a base in Jordan. In retaliation, US forces launched dozens of strikes against Tehran-backed fighters. Since then, attacks on US troops have significantly decreased.

Baghdad has been engaging in talks with Washington to defuse tensions and discuss the future of the US-led coalition's mission in Iraq. The US military maintains approximately 2,500 troops in Iraq and 900 in Syria. The coalition was initially deployed to Iraq at the government's request in 2014 to help combat the Islamic State group, which had taken over large swathes of Iraq and Syria. Despite the coalition's efforts, IS remnants continue to carry out attacks and ambushes in both countries.

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