In response to a drone attack in northern Iraq that left three U.S. servicemembers injured, President Joe Biden has authorized retaliatory airstrikes against Iranian-backed militia groups. The attack, claimed by Kataib Hezbollah and affiliated groups operating under an Iranian-backed umbrella, utilized a one-way attack drone.
National Security Council spokeswoman Adrienne Watson confirmed that one U.S. troop suffered critical injuries in the assault. President Biden was briefed on the incident by White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan and subsequently ordered the Pentagon to prepare response options.
The airstrikes targeted three locations used by Kataib Hezbollah and affiliated groups and were executed less than 13 hours after the initial attack. According to U.S. Central Command, the strikes “destroyed the targeted facilities and likely killed a number of Kataib Hezbollah militants.”
During a call with his national security team, President Biden emphasized the protection of American personnel as a top priority. Watson stated, “The United States will act at a time and in a manner of our choosing should these attacks continue.”
This recent assault on U.S. troops follows months of escalating threats and actions against American forces in the region, with tensions intensifying since the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel. The U.S. has attributed responsibility for previous attacks to Iranian-backed militant groups.
While the Biden administration has sought to prevent the Israel-Hamas conflict from expanding into a broader regional conflict, the measured response has drawn criticism from Republicans. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin stated, “While we do not seek to escalate conflict in the region, we are committed and fully prepared to take further necessary measures to protect our people and our facilities.”
The situation highlights the ongoing challenges in the region, with the U.S. maintaining a significant military presence in Iraq and Syria. The administration faces the delicate task of balancing responses to attacks while preventing the situation from spiraling into a wider conflict.
