President Biden ordered retaliatory airstrikes in Iraq on Monday after three U.S. soldiers were injured, one of them seriously, in a drone attack by Iranian-backed terrorists on a U.S. base earlier that day, the U.S. military confirmed. White House.
The US military carried out the attacks around 8:45 p.m. EST, likely killing “several Kataib Hezbollah militants” and destroying multiple facilities used by the group, said Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, head of US Central Command. , it’s a statement.
“These strikes are intended to hold accountable the elements directly responsible for attacks against coalition forces in Iraq and Syria and degrade their ability to continue attacks,” Kurilla said, adding, “We will always protect our forces.”
A one-way drone strike by the militant group hit a U.S. base in Erbil, Iraq, on Monday, causing three American casualties, officials said.
The identity of the seriously injured U.S. service member has not been released and the extent of the other’s injuries is unclear.
“My prayers are with the brave Americans who were injured,” US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said in a statement.
The US military carried out retaliatory airstrikes in Iraq after three soldiers were wounded in an attack by Iran-aligned militants. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts/File Photo/File Photo
Biden was “immediately” briefed about the attack and told the Pentagon to “prepare options against those responsible,” said White House National Security Council spokeswoman Adrienne Watson.
After mulling his options, Biden called Austin and ordered the airstrike.
No additional details about the operation were immediately available.
“The President places no higher priority than protecting American personnel serving in harm’s way. The United States will act at a time and in a manner of our choosing if these attacks continue,” Watson said.
US bases and assets in the Middle East have been attacked by Iran-aligned militias in recent weeks over Washington’s support for Israel in its fight against Hamas in Gaza since the war broke out in October.
With post cables
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Source: vtt.edu.vn