The Pentagon confirmed on Monday evening that U.S. Central Command conducted an airstrike against Iranian-backed Hezbollah terrorists in Iraq.
Three U.S. personnel had been injured, one critically, in a separate assault on Erbil Air Base earlier Monday, the Pentagon said, noting that the evening strike was conducted “[i]n response to multiple attacks against coalition forces in Iraq and Syria.”
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“Early assessments indicate that these U.S. airstrikes destroyed the targeted facilities and likely killed a number of Kataib Hezbollah militants,” the Pentagon said in a release. “There are no indications that any civilian lives were affected. The U.S. military will continue to evaluate the effectiveness of these strikes.”
"These strikes are intended to hold accountable those elements directly responsible for attacks on coalition forces in Iraq and Syria and degrade their ability to continue attacks. We will always protect our forces," Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, U.S. Central Command commander, said in a statement on the attack.
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Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said in a statement on Monday that President Joe Biden directed the strikes as a “necessary and proportionate” move. He said that three Hezbollah facilities were hit.
“The president and I will not hesitate to take necessary action to defend the United States, our troops, and our interests,” Austin said. “There is no higher priority. While we do not seek to escalate conflict in the region, we are committed and fully prepared to take further necessary measures to protect our people and our facilities.”