Iraq: US Strikes Iran-backed Militias

Facts

• The US on Tuesday launched airstrikes on three facilities associated with Iran-sponsored militias in western Iraq, allegedly due to 'escalatory attacks' on American and coalition forces in Iraq and Syria.¹
• According to Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin, the 'necessary and proportionate' precision strikes targeted the Kataib Hezbollah militia group (the Hezbollah Brigades) and other Iran-aligned groups in Iraq.²
• Furthermore, Austin said while the Biden administration isn't seeking to escalate the regional conflict, the White House is 'fully prepared to take further measures' to protect its troops and military facilities.³
• Separately, the US Central Command said unilateral airstrikes were carried out on Kataib Hezbollah's headquarters, storage, and training facilities in retaliation to its attack on al-Asad Airbase hosting US forces in western Iraq.⁴
• Meanwhile, Iraq condemned the US strike as 'an aggression and blatant violation of Iraqi sovereignty.' While Baghdad accused Washington of stoking regional tensions, Kataib Hezbollah vowed to continue its attacks in support of the people in Gaza.⁵
• Since the Israel-Hamas war began on Oct. 7, 2023, over 140 attacks have been launched on US and coalition troops in Iraq and Syria.⁶

Sources: ¹BBC News, ²France 24, ³The New York Times, ⁴CNN, ⁵The National and ⁶The New Arab.

Narratives

• Pro-establishment narrative, as provided by CNN. The precision retaliatory strikes on Iran-backed militias in Iraq and Syria are the latest proof that the US is serious about protecting its troops and military installations in the region. It's not Washington that's playing with fire, but the Iranian regime using its proxy forces to wage a hybrid war against the US and Israel that threatens to plunge the entire region into chaos. US troops were sent to Iraq at the request of Baghdad to help fight the Islamic State group, and the US will not hesitate to defend itself against any aggressive forces in the event of further attacks.
• Establishment-critical narrative, as provided by Al Mayadeen. The US attacks in Iraq and Syria underscore the weakness, rather than the strength, of the US military as it's unable to prevent the Axis of Resistance's retaliatory strikes. Moreover, Washington's pointless military actions only address the symptoms and not the cause of escalation, which lies in Israel's catastrophic war against Gaza's population. Add to this that the US occupation forces are illegally in Syria and are officially no longer welcome in Iraq. The resistance will thus continue until the US and the Israeli regime opt for peace over domination and violence.

Predictions