WASHINGTON – The US military killed several Iranian-backed terrorists in retaliatory airstrikes on Tuesday after they targeted American troops in Iraq, the Pentagon said.
“I can confirm last night’s attack by Iranian-backed militias using short-range ballistic missiles against US and coalition forces at the Al Asad airbase in Iraq,” Pentagon deputy spokeswoman Sabrina Singh told reporters.
The terrorist attack caused “some non-serious injuries and some minor damage to infrastructure,” he said.
In response, the US used AC-130 fighter jets – a heavily armed and highly capable ground attack aircraft – to “immediately” target vehicles near bases linked to the militants, according to Singh.
The AC-130 was already in the air when the initial attack took place and its crew “were able to monitor the movements of these militants as they moved into their vehicles,” he said.
“The militants were targeted because the AC-130 could determine the point of origin from which the short-range ballistic missile was fired,” said Singh.
While an official investigation is underway, the spokesman could not say which Iranian proxy group carried out the attack or how many militants were killed in the attack.
The attack and response come after US forces in the Middle East have come under relentless attack since the October 7 attack by Hamas and the resulting war in Gaza.
US troops killed several Iranian-backed terrorists in retaliatory airstrikes Tuesday after they targeted American troops in Iraq, according to the Pentagon.Master Sgt. Jeremy Lock / US Air Force
Since October 17, American troops have been attacked 66 times – 32 in Iraq and 34 in Syria, Singh said.
“US personnel have suffered approximately 62 injuries, but this does not include any injuries from last night’s attack as they are still being assessed,” he said.
Most injuries are minor, although more than 20 have involved traumatic brain injuries.
The US has carried out three previous retaliatory strikes — on Oct. 26, Nov. 8 and Nov. 12.
However, Tuesday’s strike is believed to be the first to result in a fatality.
“I can confirm an attack last night by Iranian-backed militias using short-range ballistic missiles against US and coalition forces at the Al Asad airbase in Iraq,” Pentagon deputy spokeswoman Sabrina Singh told reporters. AFP via Getty Images
Asked why the responsive strike did not prevent Iranian proxies from continuing attacks on US forces, Singh said the Pentagon did not “want to see this conflict escalate.”
“I wouldn’t say that it doesn’t work,” he said.
“I would say that we were very deliberate in our strike.”
“We will respond when we feel at the time and place of our choosing that we need to respond,” he added.
“We’ve been three times, we did it again last night.”
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
