A US official informed CNN that a member of an Iranian proxy group, who had "US blood on his hands," was targeted in a strike in Iraq. The official revealed that the target belonged to Harakat al-Nujaba, an Iranian proxy group active in Iraq and Syria, and that the US had been monitoring his activities prior to the strike.
Another US defense official indicated, "To safeguard our forces in Iraq and Syria from potential threats, the United States is actively taking measures."
According to the official, the strike in Baghdad targeted a vehicle suspected to be transporting the intended target. The US is currently evaluating the impact of the strike to confirm the successful elimination of the target and to ascertain if there were any other individuals in or around the vehicle at the time of the operation.
It is uncertain at this time if the Iraqi government was informed prior to the strike, particularly since it took place in the capital. The Iraqi government has denounced US strikes within its borders, deeming them as breaches of Iraq’s sovereignty.
This strike marks the second instance in a little over a week that the US has aimed at Iran-backed militants within Iraq. On December 25, the US targeted three facilities in Iraq utilized by the Iranian proxy group Kataib Hezbollah and eliminated numerous militants after the group assaulted Erbil Air Base, resulting in three US service members being wounded, including one critically.
Iran-affiliated factions have initiated a minimum of 118 assaults on US and coalition troops in Iraq and Syria as of October 17, as per a report by CNN earlier this week.
The US has urged the Iraqi government to increase efforts in safeguarding US troops in the area and to pursue those responsible for targeting US and coalition forces.
In March 2019, the State Department declared HAN and its leader, Akram Abbas al-Kabi, as Specially Designated Global Terrorists. HAN, an Iranian proxy militia operating in Iraq, has declared allegiance to Irans Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei.
This story has been updated with additional information.
