NewsBytes
    Hindi Tamil Telugu
    More
    In the news
    Narendra Modi
    Amit Shah
    Box Office Collection
    Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
    OTT releases
    Hindi Tamil Telugu
    NewsBytes
    User Placeholder

    Hi,

    Logout

    India
    Business
    World
    Politics
    Sports
    Technology
    Entertainment
    Auto
    Lifestyle
    Inspirational
    Career
    Bengaluru
    Delhi
    Mumbai

    Download Android App

    Follow us on
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Linkedin
    Home / News / World News / Iraq: After drone attack, US strikes Iran-backed Kataib Hezbollah's facilities
    Next Article
    Iraq: After drone attack, US strikes Iran-backed Kataib Hezbollah's facilities
    US military has struck Iran-backed Kataib Hezbollah in Iraq

    Iraq: After drone attack, US strikes Iran-backed Kataib Hezbollah's facilities

    By Manzoor-ul-Hassan
    Dec 26, 2023
    01:22 pm

    What's the story

    The United States (US) military struck on three sites used by Iran-backed militia groups in Iraq on Monday (local time), Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said.

    The US retaliated after a drone attack injured three American soldiers earlier on Monday.

    The attack, which likely killed several Kataib Hezbollah militants and destroyed several facilities, came upon US President Joe Biden's directions.

    Notably, US troops stationed in Iraq and Syria have become the targets of Iran-aligned groups amid the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.

    Context

    Why does this story matter?

    There are around 2,500 US soldiers in Iraq and 900 in Syria in a bid to prevent a resurgence of the Islamic State (ISIS) terror group.

    Meanwhile, attacks against US troops in Iraq have increased as a result of the conflict in Gaza between American ally Israel and Hamas.

    To note, Kataib Hezbollah is a Shiite group formed in 2007 with the help of Iran's Revolutionary Guards. In 2009, the US designated it as a "foreign terrorist organization."

    Details

    Details of drone attack and US response

    Head of US Central Command, General Michael Erik Kurilla, said, "These strikes are intended to hold accountable those elements directly responsible for attacks on coalition forces in Iraq and Syria and degrade their ability to continue attacks."

    "We will always protect our forces," he added.

    On Monday, a one-way drone attacked a US base in Erbil, Iraq, injuring three US soldiers—one of them critically.

    However, the Pentagon has not released details about the injured service members so far.

    What Next?

    President Biden orders strikes on Kataib Hezbollah 

    President Biden was reportedly briefed on the drone attack by the White House National Security Council (NSC), prompting him to order the Pentagon to ready a response.

    NSC spokesperson Adrienne Watson said, "The president places no higher priority than the protection of American personnel serving in harm's way. The United States will act at a time and in a manner of our choosing should these attacks continue."

    Austin also expressed concern and prayed for the injured American soldiers.

    Twitter Post

    Defense secretary posted this message on X

    Today, at @POTUS’ direction, U.S. military forces conducted necessary & proportionate strikes on 3 facilities used by Kataib Hezbollah & affiliated groups in Iraq. These precision strikes are a response to a series of attacks against U.S. personnel in Iraq & Syria by…

    — Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III (@SecDef) December 26, 2023

    Insights

    100 attacks on US military since Israel-Hamas war began

    According to Reuters, the US military has already come under attack at least 100 times in Iraq and Syria since the war between Israel and Hamas began in October.

    The US embassy compound in Iraq's capital, Baghdad, also came under mortar fire earlier in December.

    The latest unrest came less than a week after Austin returned from a trip to the Middle East focused on containing efforts by Iran-aligned groups to widen the Israel-Hamas conflict.

    Facebook
    Whatsapp
    Twitter
    Linkedin
    Related News
    Latest
    Joe Biden
    Iraq
    Syria
    ISIS

    Latest

    2 Indian students killed in car crash in Pennsylvania  United States of America
    Apple's iOS 19 will improve iPhone battery life with AI Android
    Cameron Green included as Australia announce WTC final squad  Josh Hazlewood
    Bangladesh's Election Commission suspends registration of Sheikh Hasina's Party Sheikh Hasina

    Joe Biden

    Israel preparing ground invasion of Gaza, won't give specifics: Netanyahu Benjamin Netanyahu
    Biden links Hamas attack to India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor Israel
    US mass shooting suspect, who killed 18, found dead: Police United States of America
    Biden inks executive order for AI regulation in the US United States of America

    Iraq

    Kurdistan referendum: Iraqi Kurds overwhelmingly back independence ISIS
    Russia accuses US of "pretending" to fight ISIS in Iraq/Syria Russia News
    Iraq: Security forces advance into Kurdish-held territories following referendum ISIS
    Iraq's military action in Kurdistan: Where does the US stand? ISIS

    Syria

    Turkey: 2 more earthquakes of magnitudes 7.6, 6 hit country Turkey
    Death toll crosses 4,300 after 3 earthquakes in Turkey, Syria Turkey
    Turkey: 5th major earthquake hits country, death toll crosses 5,000 Turkey
    Why earthquakes in Turkey and Syria were so devastating Earthquake

    ISIS

    Turkish forces capture sister of dead ISIS chief Baghdadi Donald Trump
    It's home: Persecuted in Afghanistan, 11 Sikhs arrive in Delhi Afghanistan
    How ISIS used Facebook to scam people needing face masks Facebook
    Suspected ISIS operative arrested in Delhi after fire exchange: Police Delhi Police
    Indian Premier League (IPL) Celebrity Hollywood Bollywood UEFA Champions League Tennis Football Smartphones Cryptocurrency Upcoming Movies Premier League Cricket News Latest automobiles Latest Cars Upcoming Cars Latest Bikes Upcoming Tablets
    About Us Privacy Policy Terms & Conditions Contact Us Ethical Conduct Grievance Redressal News News Archive Topics Archive Download DevBytes Find Cricket Statistics
    Follow us on
    Facebook Twitter Linkedin
    All rights reserved © NewsBytes 2025