In a sobering incident on Christmas Day, a U.S. service member was critically injured in northern Iraq in a one-way drone attack carried out by an Iran-backed group. The attack also resulted in two other American service members sustaining injuries, as confirmed by a statement from the National Security Council (NSC).

The targeted attack took place in Erbil, Iraq, where the U.S. military personnel were stationed, according to Central Command (Centcom). This marks the first instance of a U.S. service member being critically injured since the onset of Iran-backed attacks on American troops on October 17, 2023. Over 100 attacks against U.S. troops have taken place in the region to date.

Defend Your Retirement Against Bidenflation

The NSC identified the Iran-backed militia Kataib Hezbollah and affiliated groups as the perpetrators of the attack. These groups, operating under the umbrella of Iranian-backed militants, claimed responsibility for the assault, as confirmed by the NSC.

In response to the incident, President Joe Biden was promptly briefed and directed the Department of Defense to prepare response options. The President was presented with these options during a call in the afternoon and subsequently authorized strikes against three specific locations used by Kataib Hezbollah and its affiliated groups for unmanned aerial drone activities.

Stop Risking Your Safety: Uncover the Truth Behind the Best Survival Caliber!

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin deemed the strikes as “necessary and proportionate.” Addressing the injuries sustained by the U.S. personnel, he conveyed his prayers for their recovery and reaffirmed the commitment to prioritize the defense of the United States, its troops, and its interests. He made it clear that while escalation is not sought, necessary measures will be taken to protect American lives and facilities.

According to Centcom, early assessments indicate that the U.S. airstrikes effectively destroyed the targeted facilities and likely resulted in casualties among Kataib Hezbollah militants. Importantly, there are no indications of civilian lives being affected by these strikes. The U.S. military will continue to evaluate the impact and effectiveness of the operation.

Centcom Commander Army General Michael Erik Kurilla emphasized that the strikes were intended to hold accountable those responsible for the attacks on coalition forces and to degrade their capacity to carry out further assaults. He unequivocally affirmed the commitment to safeguard American forces.

The strikes conducted by the United States were a response to multiple attacks against U.S. troops in both Iraq and Syria. The airstrikes were executed in Iraq at 8:45 p.m. EST, as confirmed by Centcom.

It is important to note that these Iran-backed attacks on U.S. troops are not associated with the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. Iran-backed groups had initiated the assaults, explicitly warning of targeting American troops in the region if Israel retaliated against Hamas. The Pentagon has underlined the distinction between these incidents and the Israel-Hamas war, asserting that Iran-backed groups are exploiting the situation in an attempt to drive out U.S. forces from the region.

This latest development highlights the ongoing threat posed by Iran-backed militants and the challenges faced by American servicemen and women deployed in Iraq. As the situation continues to evolve, the United States remains committed to defending its forces and interests while evaluating appropriate actions to ensure regional security.

Obama Runs The Biden Regime? New Artificial Intelligence Evidence Suggests So [VIDEO]

Self Employed or Business Owner? Find Out How To Claim A MAJOR Tax Credit

The opinions expressed by contributors and/or content partners are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Red Voice Media. Contact us for guidelines on submitting your own commentary.