Biden orders strike on Iranian-aligned group after 3 US troops injured in drone attack in Iraq

President Biden ordered retaliatory strikes in Iraq in response to a drone attack that injured three U.S. servicemembers. One of them suffered critical injuries in the attack, which was attributed to the Iranian-backed militia group Kataib Hezbollah and its affiliated groups.

President Biden, after being briefed on the attack, directed the Pentagon to prepare response options. His national security team and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin quickly developed plans and presented him with options, leading to the decision to strike three locations used by Kataib Hezbollah and its affiliates.

The protection of American personnel serving in dangerous areas is of utmost priority for President Biden. The U.S. government has made it clear that it will take action in a manner and at a time of its choosing if attacks against American personnel persist.

This attack on U.S. troops follows several months of escalating threats and actions against American forces in the region. The U.S. has attributed this rising violence to Iran, which has supported and trained groups like Hamas, as well as other proxy groups across the region. The attacks have also extended to Yemen’s Houthis targeting commercial and military vessels in the Red Sea.

The U.S. has responded to some previous attacks on its troops, but not every attempt has led to a counterattack. This approach has drawn criticism from some Republicans. It’s important to note that the U.S. has thousands of troops in Iraq and Syria, primarily focused on training Iraqi forces and countering the remnants of the Islamic State group in the region.