After US fighter aircraft reportedly hit <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/five-militia-fighters-killed-in-us-strikes-near-syria-iraq-border-394374">Iran-backed</a> militia outposts along the Syrian-Iraqi border, Iraq's Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhemi hit out, asserting that it was "a blatant and unacceptable violation of Iraqi sovereignty and Iraqi national security".

At least seven fighters were killed in overnight attacks carried out by the US military which was described by Pentagon as a "retaliatory" strike.

Watch:

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According to the US military, three targets were hit by US fighters which included two in Syria and one in Iraq which were allegedly used as installations to launch unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) attacks against US personnel in Iraq.

US defence spokesman John Kirby said Kataeb and Kataeb Sayyid al-Shuhada the two Iraqi outfits which reportedly has close ties with Iran were attacked by US fighter planes.

The attacks were given the green signal by President Joe Biden which was the second time the new administration has allowed since taking over in January this year.

"Given the ongoing series of attacks by Iran-backed groups targeting US interests in Iraq, the president directed further military action to disrupt and deter such attacks," Kirby said.

Kirby added that the US strikes targeted operational and weapons storage facilities in Syria and Iraq.

In February, the US had struck eastern Syria in which at least 20 fighters were reportedly killed. The strikes come even as Iran and Western officials continue their dialogue to operationalise the 2015 nuclear deal after the previous Trump administration had walked from the deal citing violations by Iran and had imposed harsh sanctions against the country.

President Biden is set to meet President of Israel Reuven Rivlin in the White House today. The Israeli government had stated that it would oppose any deal between the Western power and Iran over the nuclear deal.

(With inputs from Agencies)

After US fighter aircraft reportedly hit Iran-backed militia outposts along the Syrian-Iraqi border, Iraq's Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhemi hit out, asserting that it was "a blatant and unacceptable violation of Iraqi sovereignty and Iraqi national security".

After US fighter aircraft reportedly hit Iran-backed militia outposts along the Syrian-Iraqi border, Iraq's Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhemi hit out, asserting that it was "a blatant and unacceptable violation of Iraqi sovereignty and Iraqi national security". At least seven fighters were killed in overnight attacks carried out by the US military which was described by Pentagon as a "retaliatory" strike. Watch: According to the US military, three targets were hit by US fighters which included two in Syria and one in Iraq which were allegedly used as installations to launch unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) attacks against US personnel in Iraq. US defence spokesman John Kirby said Kataeb and Kataeb Sayyid al-Shuhada the two Iraqi outfits which reportedly has close ties with Iran were attacked by US fighter planes. The attacks were given the green signal by President Joe Biden which was the second time the new administration has allowed since taking over in January this year. "Given the ongoing series of attacks by Iran-backed groups targeting US interests in Iraq, the president directed further military action to disrupt and deter such attacks," Kirby said. Kirby added that the US strikes targeted operational and weapons storage facilities in Syria and Iraq. In February, the US had struck eastern Syria in which at least 20 fighters were reportedly killed. The strikes come even as Iran and Western officials continue their dialogue to operationalise the 2015 nuclear deal after the previous Trump administration had walked from the deal citing violations by Iran and had imposed harsh sanctions against the country. President Biden is set to meet President of Israel Reuven Rivlin in the White House today. The Israeli government had stated that it would oppose any deal between the Western power and Iran over the nuclear deal. (With inputs from Agencies)

US air strikes a violation of sovereignty: Iraq prime minister

100th Wing Loong unmanned aerial vehicle delivered to foreign user

India has dismissed<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/indian-drone-invaded-airspace-crashed-china-state-agency-26078"> China&#39;s allegations that a drone invaded</a> its airspace, violating its territorial integrity.

In a statement, India&#39;s Ministry of Defence said that an Indian unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) which was on a regular training mission inside the Indian territory lost contact with the ground control due to some technical problem and crossed over the Line of Actual Control, the defacto border that divides India and China, &nbsp;in the Sikkim Sector.

The defence ministry said that Indian border security personnel immediately alerted Chinese counterparts to locate the UAV and that the Chinese side reverted with location details.&nbsp;

&quot;The exact cause of the incident is under investigation. Matter being dealt with in accordance with established protocols,&quot; the Ministry of Defence added in its statement.

China&#39;s state-run news agency Xinhua reported on Thursday morning that an Indian drone had &quot;invaded&quot; its airspace and crashed.

China&#39;s deputy director of the army&#39;s western theatre combat bureau was quoted as saying by Xinhua that the move &quot;violated China&#39;s territorial sovereignty.&quot;

&quot;The Indian move violated China&#39;s territorial sovereignty. We strongly express our dissatisfaction and opposition,&quot; the deputy director of the army&#39;s western theatre combat bureau, &nbsp;Zhang Shuili, told Xinhua.&nbsp;

Zhang Shuili said the Chinese border troops &quot;took a professional and responsible attitude&quot; and carried out identification verification of the device.

He did not, however, give details about when or where the incident happened.

China&#39;s accusation comes months after the two countries ended one of their worst border standoffs in decades in the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/doklam-standoff-army-takes-steps-for-swift-troop-movement-along-china-border-24993">disputed Doklam region</a> near Indian state Sikkim. The 73-day stand-off ended in August with troops of both nations pulling back their troops from the disputed territory claimed by both Bhutan and China.

In September, India&#39;s army chief General Bipin Rawat had said that India could not afford to be complacent and must be prepared for war.&nbsp;

&quot;As far as our northern adversary is concerned, flexing of muscles has started,&quot; General Bipin Rawat had said at a think tank event in New Delhi, in reference to China.

&quot;The salami slicing, taking over territory in a very gradual manner... testing our limits of threshold is something we have to be wary about and remain prepared for situations which could gradually emerge into conflict.&quot;

(With inputs from AFP) 
&nbsp;

China's state-run news agency Xinhua reported on Thursday morning that an Indian drone had 'invaded' its airspace and crashed, violating its territorial integrity

India has dismissed China's allegations that a drone invaded its airspace, violating its territorial integrity. In a statement, India's Ministry of Defence said that an Indian unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) which was on a regular training mission inside the Indian territory lost contact with the ground control due to some technical problem and crossed over the Line of Actual Control, the defacto border that divides India and China, in the Sikkim Sector. The defence ministry said that Indian border security personnel immediately alerted Chinese counterparts to locate the UAV and that the Chinese side reverted with location details. "The exact cause of the incident is under investigation. Matter being dealt with in accordance with established protocols," the Ministry of Defence added in its statement. China's state-run news agency Xinhua reported on Thursday morning that an Indian drone had "invaded" its airspace and crashed. China's deputy director of the army's western theatre combat bureau was quoted as saying by Xinhua that the move "violated China's territorial sovereignty." "The Indian move violated China's territorial sovereignty. We strongly express our dissatisfaction and opposition," the deputy director of the army's western theatre combat bureau, Zhang Shuili, told Xinhua. Zhang Shuili said the Chinese border troops "took a professional and responsible attitude" and carried out identification verification of the device. He did not, however, give details about when or where the incident happened. China's accusation comes months after the two countries ended one of their worst border standoffs in decades in the disputed Doklam region near Indian state Sikkim. The 73-day stand-off ended in August with troops of both nations pulling back their troops from the disputed territory claimed by both Bhutan and China. In September, India's army chief General Bipin Rawat had said that India could not afford to be complacent and must be prepared for war. "As far as our northern adversary is concerned, flexing of muscles has started," General Bipin Rawat had said at a think tank event in New Delhi, in reference to China. "The salami slicing, taking over territory in a very gradual manner... testing our limits of threshold is something we have to be wary about and remain prepared for situations which could gradually emerge into conflict." (With inputs from AFP)

Alerted China about UAV losing contact:?India denies invading China's airspace