U.S. airstrike in Iraq disrupts kamikaze drone attack plans
To thwart an attack being prepared by militants using kamikaze drones, the United States Armed Forces stationed in Iraq conducted an airstrike south of Baghdad on Tuesday, according to a Pentagon representative in a conversation with journalists from ABC News.
31 July 2024 17:01
A representative from the U.S. Department of Defense informed ABC News that American forces in Iraq carried out a defensive airstrike in Musayyib, Babil Province, targeting militants who were preparing to deploy kamikaze drones.
The airstrike was a response to the threat
He added that the US Central Command, based on recent attacks in Iraq and Syria, assessed that it posed a threat to US and coalition forces in Iraq. He stressed that they reserve the inherent right to self-defense and will take necessary actions without hesitation.
Tuesday's airstrike conducted by US forces was the first such action in Iraq since February. At that time, Abu Bakir al-Saadi, the leader of the pro-Iran militia Kataib Hezbollah, was killed. According to information provided by the US, it was responsible for nearly 170 attacks on American bases in Iraq and Syria, carried out using rockets and drones.
USA on guard
Currently, 2,500 American soldiers are stationed in Iraq and an additional 900 serve in Syria. Their task is to support local security forces in preventing the resurgence of the terrorist organization Islamic State (IS). Since the beginning of this year, the US and Iraq have been in talks about changes in the future presence of American troops in the country.
Earlier that same day, Iraqi authorities reported a series of explosions south of Baghdad. They took place in areas controlled by the Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) - armed groups supported by Iran, which fall under the defence ministry in Baghdad.
