The US military has retaliated following an attack on US and coalition forces at Al-Asad Airbase in Iraq by launching precision airstrikes and engaging hostile forces, marking a series of retaliatory actions.
An AC-130 gunship, responding promptly to the attack, targeted a vehicle, resulting in the demise of an unidentified hostile individual, according to a US official speaking to CNN. Additionally, US Central Command announced airstrikes on two sites utilized by the Iranian-backed Kataib Hezbollah group in Iraq.
Deputy Pentagon press secretary Sabrina Singh noted that the Iranian-backed militants’ assault caused minimal injuries and slight infrastructure damage. Singh highlighted this as the initial use of a ballistic missile since the attacks on US and coalition forces commenced on October 17.
Emphasizing defense, US Central Command clarified that the airstrikes were a direct response to the recent attacks by Iran and its backed groups, citing the utilization of close-range ballistic missiles in the November 21 incident.
The targeted facilities, supporting prior assaults on US and coalition bases, were successfully destroyed, although no casualty assessment was immediately available. However, Kataib Hezbollah reported eight fighters killed and four wounded as a consequence of the US strikes.
In response to the airstrikes, the Iraqi government condemned them as a breach of sovereignty, expressing disapproval of these actions conducted without their knowledge. Nonetheless, the government criticized the Iran-backed groups’ actions, deeming them unlawful and against the national interest.
The recent airstrikes are part of the series of US strikes against Iranian-affiliated targets, indicating ongoing tensions in the region following the attacks that began in October. Despite over 66 attacks on US and coalition forces since October 17, the Pentagon remains confident in deterring further escalation beyond the Israel-Gaza conflict, citing successful responses to these incidents.
