In response to a drone attack in northern Iraq that wounded three U.S. military personnel, President Joe Biden has directed the U.S. military to launch counterattacks against Iranian-affiliated militia factions.
Adrienne Watson, spokesperson for the National Security Council, revealed that one U.S. soldier sustained severe injuries during the Monday assault. The responsibility for this attack was claimed by Kataib Hezbollah, an Iranian-supported militia faction, employing a single-use drone.
While spending the Christmas period at Maryland’s Camp David, President Biden was promptly informed about the assault by Jake Sullivan, the White House’s national security adviser. Consequently, Biden instructed the Pentagon, along with key security advisers, to devise potential retaliatory strategies against Erbil Air Base, the target of the attack.
Consultations ensued between Sullivan and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. Meanwhile, Jon Finer, Biden’s deputy national security adviser, convened a team of senior officials at Camp David to evaluate available options, as per an unnamed U.S. official.
Swiftly, Biden gathered his security council, where both Austin and Gen. CQ Brown provided insights on possible actions. Ultimately, three Kataib Hezbollah-associated sites were targeted in Iraq by the U.S. forces around 4:45 a.m. on Tuesday. The U.S. Central Command confirmed that these strikes obliterated the specified locations, likely resulting in casualties among Kataib Hezbollah operatives.
Watson emphasized Biden’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding American troops: “Ensuring the safety of U.S. personnel remains President Biden’s paramount concern. Should such aggressions persist, the U.S. will respond strategically and decisively.”
This incident follows a series of escalating confrontations against U.S. military forces in the wake of the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel, igniting intense conflict in Gaza. Since then, Iran-backed militant factions, especially under the Islamic Resistance in Iraq and Syria banner, have targeted U.S. establishments in both Iraq and Syria multiple times.
Moreover, Iran’s alleged backing of Hamas, including its involvement in attacks by Yemen’s Houthi insurgents on vital Red Sea shipping routes, has escalated tensions further. The Biden administration aims to avert the Israel-Hamas conflict from triggering a broader regional war, though its selective retaliatory approach has faced criticism from the Republican party.
Currently, the U.S. deploys numerous troops in Iraq to train local forces and combat remnants of the Islamic State. Although these forces have encountered numerous attacks since October 7, none have resulted in fatalities, with Iran-linked groups being held responsible.
Defense Secretary Austin stated, “Our objective isn’t to escalate regional tensions, but we remain resolute in ensuring the safety of our personnel and assets.”
