The United States has carried out an airstrike in Baghdad, targeting a senior leader of an Iranian-backed militia responsible for attacks on U.S. forces in the Middle East. The strike was authorized by President Joe Biden as part of retaliatory actions following a deadly attack on a U.S. base in Jordan that claimed the lives of three American soldiers.
The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed the airstrike, stating that it took place at 9:30 p.m. on February 7. The targeted militia leader, a commander from Kataib Hezbollah, was directly involved in planning and participating in attacks against U.S. forces in the region. The statement emphasized that there were no indications of collateral damage or civilian casualties resulting from the strike.
National security adviser Jake Sullivan announced that there would be further U.S. responses to the attack on the Tower 22 base in Jordan, with some actions being visible and others remaining undisclosed. Kataib Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed Shiite militia operating in Iraq, has been held responsible by the U.S. for the majority of the 168 attacks on U.S. bases in Iraq, Syria, and Jordan.
Kataib Hezbollah was among the Shiite militia groups that joined forces with the Iraqi government to combat the Islamic State. As a result, it became integrated into Iraq’s military structure as part of the Popular Mobilization Forces. The organization confirmed the death of Abu Baqir Al-Saadi, a senior leader of Kataib Hezbollah, along with two others who were accompanying him during the airstrike in Baghdad.
Following the incident, Iraq’s military dispatched a team to investigate an explosion that targeted a civilian vehicle in the Al-Mashal area east of Baghdad. The blast resulted in the deaths of all individuals inside the vehicle, and authorities are conducting an inquiry to determine the method and source of the attack.
In anticipation of potential retaliation against U.S. facilities in Iraq, Iraqi security sources revealed that all entrances to the Green Zone, a secure area in the center of Baghdad housing the U.S. embassy and other significant Iraqi government buildings, were being closed.
As this is a developing story, it is advised to stay updated for further information and developments regarding the situation.