American forces carried out a “defensive” air strike on combatants who were attempting to launch drones that were deemed a threat to US and allied troops, a United States official said.
The strike – which Iraqi sources said left at least four people dead – was the first by American forces in Iraq since February, when the US military said it killed a pro-Iran commander who was involved in attacks on the country’s troops.
“Tonight, US forces in Iraq conducted a defensive air strike” in Babylon province “targeting combatants attempting to launch one-way attack uncrewed aerial systems,” the US defense official said on condition of anonymity, adding that the Central Command assessed the drones “posed a threat to US and coalition forces.”
“We maintain the inherent right to self-defense and will not hesitate to take appropriate action,” the official added.
The Hashd al-Shaabi – an alliance of pro-Iran former paramilitary groups that have been integrated into Iraq’s security forces – earlier said apparent missile strikes had left four people dead at a base in Babylon, but made no mention of an attempt to launch drones from the ground.
“Available information suggests that two patrols… were targeted with missiles fired from drones,” the Hashd said in a statement.
An official from the alliance told AFP that “four people were killed and others were critically wounded in blasts that hit a base belonging to the Hashd al-Shaabi.”
A security source confirmed that four people were killed, adding that the death toll was expected to rise.
With AFP
