American forces on Tuesday (Jul&nbsp;30) executed a "defensive" air strike targeting combatants in Iraq who were allegedly attempting to launch drones perceived as a threat to US and allied troops, according to a US official.&nbsp;This marks the first such strike by US forces in Iraq since February.

"Tonight, US forces in Iraq conducted a defensive air strike," in Babylon province "targeting combatants attempting to launch one-way attack uncrewed aerial systems," stated the US defence official, speaking to AFP on condition of anonymity.&nbsp;

He said that the Central Command evaluated that the drones "posed a threat to US and coalition forces,"&nbsp;emphasising the inherent right to self-defence and the readiness to take appropriate action.

"We maintain the inherent right to self-defence and will not hesitate to take appropriate action."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hamas-leader-ismail-haniyeh-killed-in-tehran-irgc-confirms-fatal-attack-on-his-residence-745761">Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh killed in a 'Zionist strike' in Tehran: IRGC confirms fatal attack</a>

<h2 bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:7,&quot;y&quot;:246,&quot;w&quot;:813,&quot;h&quot;:25,&quot;abs_x&quot;:40,&quot;abs_y&quot;:1935}">Four killed in US strike</h2>

Iraqi sources reported that the strike resulted in at least four fatalities. The Hashed al-Shaabi, an alliance of pro-Iran former paramilitary groups now integrated into Iraq's security forces, mentioned missile strikes at a base in Babylon but did not speak about any attempt to launch drones.&nbsp;

Their statement said that available information suggests that "two patrols were targeted with missiles fired from drones."&nbsp;

An official of the alliance told the news agency that "four people were killed and others were critically wounded in blasts that hit a base belonging to the Hashed al-Shaabi." The death toll is expected to rise.

<h2 bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:7,&quot;y&quot;:441,&quot;w&quot;:813,&quot;h&quot;:25,&quot;abs_x&quot;:40,&quot;abs_y&quot;:2130}">Recent attacks US in Iraq</h2>

This air strike follows two recent attacks on US and allied forces in Iraq.&nbsp;

Last week, several rockets targeted the Ain al-Assad base, which hosts coalition troops. Additionally, on July 16, two drones were launched towards the same facility. One of the drones was "successfully destroyed" while the other caused "minimal damage".

Also read |&nbsp;<a bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:88,&quot;y&quot;:583,&quot;w&quot;:669,&quot;h&quot;:16,&quot;abs_x&quot;:121,&quot;abs_y&quot;:2272}" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/who-is-faud-shukr-the-hezbollah-senior-terrorist-israel-claims-to-have-eliminated-in-beirut-745752">Who is Faud Shukr? The Hezbollah 'senior terrorist' Israel claims to have 'eliminated' in Beirut</a>

Before these two attacks, US troops in Iraq and Syria had not been targeted since April. However, during the initial months of the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza, they were targeted by over 175 attacks. These attacks were primarily claimed by the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an alliance of Iran-backed groups expressing solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.

(With inputs from agencies)

American forces on Tuesday (Jul 30) executed a "defensive" air strike targeting combatants in Iraq who were allegedly attempting to launch drones perceived as a threat to US and allied troops, according to a US official.

American forces on Tuesday (Jul 30) executed a "defensive" air strike targeting combatants in Iraq who were allegedly attempting to launch drones perceived as a threat to US and allied troops, according to a US official. This marks the first such strike by US forces in Iraq since February. "Tonight, US forces in Iraq conducted a defensive air strike," in Babylon province "targeting combatants attempting to launch one-way attack uncrewed aerial systems," stated the US defence official, speaking to AFP on condition of anonymity. He said that the Central Command evaluated that the drones "posed a threat to US and coalition forces," emphasising the inherent right to self-defence and the readiness to take appropriate action. "We maintain the inherent right to self-defence and will not hesitate to take appropriate action." Also read | Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh killed in a 'Zionist strike' in Tehran: IRGC confirms fatal attack Four killed in US strike Iraqi sources reported that the strike resulted in at least four fatalities. The Hashed al-Shaabi, an alliance of pro-Iran former paramilitary groups now integrated into Iraq's security forces, mentioned missile strikes at a base in Babylon but did not speak about any attempt to launch drones. Their statement said that available information suggests that "two patrols were targeted with missiles fired from drones." An official of the alliance told the news agency that "four people were killed and others were critically wounded in blasts that hit a base belonging to the Hashed al-Shaabi." The death toll is expected to rise. Recent attacks US in Iraq This air strike follows two recent attacks on US and allied forces in Iraq. Last week, several rockets targeted the Ain al-Assad base, which hosts coalition troops. Additionally, on July 16, two drones were launched towards the same facility. One of the drones was "successfully destroyed" while the other caused "minimal damage". Also read | Who is Faud Shukr? The Hezbollah 'senior terrorist' Israel claims to have 'eliminated' in Beirut Before these two attacks, US troops in Iraq and Syria had not been targeted since April. However, during the initial months of the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza, they were targeted by over 175 attacks. These attacks were primarily claimed by the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an alliance of Iran-backed groups expressing solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. (With inputs from agencies)

US forces conduct 'defensive' air strike in Iraq, four reported dead

Repeated US&nbsp;strikes against Iran-backed armed groups in Iraq are pushing the government to end the mission of the US-led coalition in the country, the prime minister's military spokesman Yahya Rasool said on Thursday.

The US&nbsp;military said a strike on Wednesday killed a commander from Kataib Hezbollah, an Iran-backed armed group in Iraq that the Pentagon has blamed for attacking its troops.

Rasool said in a statement that the US-led coalition "has become a factor for instability and threatens to entangle Iraq in the cycle of conflict."

The US-led international military coalition in Iraq was set up to fight Islamic State. The United States has 2,500 troops in Iraq, advising and assisting local forces to prevent a resurgence of the group.

Since the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza began in October, Iraq and Syria have witnessed almost daily tit-for-tat attacks between hardline Iran-backed armed groups and US&nbsp;forces stationed in the region.

Repeated US strikes against Iran-backed armed groups in Iraq are pushing the government to end the mission of the US-led coalition in the country, the prime minister's military spokesman Yahya Rasool said on Thursday.

Repeated US strikes against Iran-backed armed groups in Iraq are pushing the government to end the mission of the US-led coalition in the country, the prime minister's military spokesman Yahya Rasool said on Thursday. The US military said a strike on Wednesday killed a commander from Kataib Hezbollah, an Iran-backed armed group in Iraq that the Pentagon has blamed for attacking its troops. Rasool said in a statement that the US-led coalition "has become a factor for instability and threatens to entangle Iraq in the cycle of conflict." The US-led international military coalition in Iraq was set up to fight Islamic State. The United States has 2,500 troops in Iraq, advising and assisting local forces to prevent a resurgence of the group. Since the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza began in October, Iraq and Syria have witnessed almost daily tit-for-tat attacks between hardline Iran-backed armed groups and US forces stationed in the region.

American strikes pushing government to end US-led coalition's mission: Iraq

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US forces conduct 'defensive' air strike in Iraq, four reported dead

American strikes pushing government to end US-led coalition's mission: Iraq