The United States has launched counterattacks on the positions of militia forces in Iraq supported by Iran after three US soldiers were injured in a drone strike. Al Jazeera reported this news with reference to the White House.
US National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson said in a statement on Monday (December 25) night that US President Joe Biden ordered strikes on various targets used by Kataib Hezbollah and allied groups in Iraq.
U.S. Defense Secretary Justin Lloyd said, "I want to make it clear that the president and I will not hesitate to take any action necessary to protect the United States, our troops, and our interests."
US Central Command says its strikes destroyed targets and militia installations. A number of Katayeb Hezbollah fighters are also likely to have been killed. However, they claimed that no civilian was killed.
General Michael Eric Kurilla, the head of Central Command, said in a statement that they (the United States) are conducting these strikes to hold accountable the groups directly responsible for attacks on coalition forces in Iraq and Syria and to reduce their ability to carry out strikes.
Earlier, a suicide drone attack was carried out on a US military base in Erbil, Iraq. Three US soldiers were injured. One of them is said to be serious, but the Pentagon has not disclosed their name and identity.
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