US Forces Engage and Neutralize Hostile Threats Following Attack in Iraq, Confirms US Official
US military retaliates and eliminates hostile forces after Al-Asad Airbase attack A vehicle was targeted and destroyed, ensuring the safety of US and coalition forces
A US military aircraft retaliated by firing on a vehicle and eliminating hostile forces after an attack on US and coalition forces at Al-Asad Airbase in Iraq on Monday evening, according to a US official who spoke to CNN on Tuesday.
The exact number of hostiles killed and whether US personnel were injured in the attack on Al-Asad is unknown. Two US officials stated that the US AC-130 gunship, with the ability to fire artillery at ground-based targets, was operating in a defensive capacity.
As of Monday afternoon, there have been a minimum of 64 attacks on US and coalition forces in Iraq and Syria, with several targeting forces at Al-Asad.
Since October 17, at least 56 US troops had suffered minor injuries in the attacks, with at least 25 of them being traumatic brain injuries. All injured troops have since returned to duty.
It is uncertain whether an AC-130 has been used to retaliate against attacks since October 17, but a US official has confirmed that the US has responded to hostile forces on multiple occasions. Additionally, the US has conducted three strikes in Syria in response to the ongoing attacks on US troops. The first strike targeted two facilities in Abu Kamal associated with Iranian-backed militias on October 26, followed by a strike on a weapons storage facility in Maysalun in Deir Ezzor, Syria, used by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and affiliated groups on November 8. Then, on November 12, the US conducted more strikes on a training facility and safe house near Abu Kamal and Mayadin, respectively.
The attacks on US and coalition forces began following an attack on Israel by Hamas. The Pentagon stated that the US has successfully deterred any further escalation of the conflict beyond Israel and Gaza, despite ongoing attacks on US forces.
Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh told reporters, "We believe deterrence is working. We have not seen the conflict spread into a wider regional war. We have conducted three separate strikes and recently responded again over the weekend. We will always reserve the right to respond at a time and place of our choosing in the future."
This story is breaking and will be updated.
