In a decisive move, U.S. military forces, under the direction of President Biden, have conducted necessary and proportionate strikes on three facilities used by Kataib Hezbollah and affiliated groups in Iraq, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin said in a statement on Monday. This action comes as a response to a series of attacks against U.S. personnel in Iraq and Syria by Iranian-sponsored militias.
“Earlier today, an attack by Iran-affiliated Kataib Hezbollah and affiliated groups on Erbil Air Base resulted in injuries to three U.S. personnel, leaving one service member in critical condition”, Austin said. The precision strikes are intended to disrupt and degrade the capabilities of the Iran-aligned militia groups directly responsible for these attacks.
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin stated, “The President and I will not hesitate to take necessary action to defend the United States, our troops, and our interests. There is no higher priority. 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.”
What is Kata’ib Hezbollah
Kata’ib Hezbollah (KH) is an Iranian-backed, Iraqi Shia paramilitary organization. Its name can be translated as the “Brigades of the Party of God,” and the group is also known as the Hezbollah Brigades. The group was established between 2003 and 2007 and used to be part of the Popular Mobilization Forces, staffing the 45th, 46th, and 47th Brigades.
During the Iraq War (2003–11), the group fought against Coalition forces. It has been active in the War in Iraq (2013–2017) and the Syrian civil war. The group was commanded by Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis until he was killed in a US drone attack in 2020. Thereafter, he was replaced by Abdul Aziz al-Muhammadawi (Abu Fadak), as the new leader of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF).
Kata’ib Hezbollah seeks to establish an Iran-aligned government in Iraq, expel American forces from the country, and advance the regional and international interests of Iran in Iraq and the region. The group is responsible for killing hundreds of U.S. soldiers and takes a central part in carrying out attacks against U.S. targets in Iraq. It is designated as a terrorist group by the United States.
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