What Is Kataib Hezbollah? Iran-Linked Group Blamed For Drone Attack On American Bases—Leading To U.S. Strikes.
ForbesDEC 22 2023
Baghdad: US Strike Kills Iran-Backed Militia Leader
Image copyright: Alex Wong/Staff/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Facts
The Pentagon stated on Wednesday that a top commander of the Iran-backed militant group Kataib Hezbollah were killed after his car was hit by a US drone strike in eastern Baghdad.
According to the Pentagon, the dead militia commander was the mastermind behind the attack in Jordan last month, which killed three American service members. Wednesday's strike comes as leaders of Iranian-sponsored militias have reportedly conducted at least 168 attacks against American forces in the area.
Though Washington originally reported one fatality in the strike, Iran-backed militia officials claimed that three were killed, including Wissam Muhammad Sabir Al-Saadi, nicknamed Abu Baqir Al-Saadi, the man in charge of the group's Syrian operations.
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
The message from Washington is clear: if US forces are attacked, it will do everything it takes to protect its troops and interests. The US has no intention of backing down when challenged, and those responsible will be held accountable with a multi-tiered response.
Establishment-critical narrative
While Iraq may have previously supported the presence of US troops in the fight against the Islamic State, America's broadening regional conflicts have now caused more death and destruction in the country than there otherwise would be. It's time for the US to remove its 2.5k troops from Iraq.
Metaculus Prediction
Go Deeper
Establishment split
CRITICAL
PRO
More neutral establishment stance articles
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