The United States military launched airstrikes targeting three facilities utilized by the Iraq-based Kataib Hezbollah and affiliated groups on Monday night in response to an attack that wounded three US troops, with one in critical condition, as reported by the White House.
According to a statement from US Central Command, preliminary assessments suggested that the airstrikes, authorized by President Joe Biden, “likely killed a number of Kataib Hezbollah militants.” The Iranian-backed militant group had earlier claimed responsibility for employing a one-way attack drone to strike US forces at Erbil Air Base on Monday morning.
Adrienne Watson, spokesperson for the US National Security Council, clarified that the airstrikes specifically targeted unmanned aerial drone activities at three locations used by Kataib Hezbollah and its affiliated groups.
The CENTCOM statement indicated that the strikes occurred at 8:45 p.m. ET, with no indications of civilian casualties. Kataib Hezbollah, identified as a Shia militant group, poses a significant threat to US personnel in both Iraq and Syria, according to the US Director of National Intelligence (DNI) website. The group aims to remove US and coalition forces from Iraq and establish an Iranian-aligned government. Kataib Hezbollah also operates in Syria, according to the DNI.
Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin briefed President Biden on Monday afternoon, presenting several options, leading to the president’s decision to authorize the airstrikes in response to the Erbil attack and other incidents targeting US forces in Iraq and Syria.
Austin characterized the airstrikes as “necessary and proportionate” in a statement issued following the military action.