Following a one-way drone attack earlier in the day by militants aligned with Iran, the US military conducted retaliatory airstrikes in Iraq on Monday. The drone assault, targeting a US base in Iraq's Erbil housing US forces, resulted in one US service member in critical condition and two others wounded. This exchange highlights the broader impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict in the Middle East, making US troops in Iraq and Syria susceptible to attacks. President Joe Biden authorized the strikes in Iraq to hold accountable those directly responsible for attacking coalition forces and to diminish their ability to continue such actions. General Michael Erik Kurilla, the head of US Central Command, emphasized the intention to protect US forces. The base in Erbil, a frequent target, experienced a significant drone attack in October. The Pentagon, while not disclosing specific details about the wounded service member or how the drone breached air defenses, stated that the strikes were aimed at Kataib Hezbollah militants and their facilities. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin conveyed his prayers for the injured Americans, and Biden was briefed on the situation, ordering the Pentagon to prepare response options against those responsible. However, the effectiveness of this retaliation in deterring future attacks remains uncertain, given the persistent threat to US forces in the region. The latest incident is part of a series of attacks on US military assets, with over 100 occurrences since the start of the Israel-Hamas conflict in October. The US embassy compound in Baghdad also faced mortar fire earlier in December, marking a significant escalation after more than a year without such incidents. This development follows Defense Secretary Austin's recent trip to the Middle East, emphasizing efforts to contain Iran-aligned groups' influence in the wake of the Israel-Hamas conflict. As part of these efforts, a US-led maritime coalition, Operation Prosperity Guardian, has been established to safeguard Red Sea commerce amid drone and missile attacks by Houthi militants in Yemen. Over 20 countries have reportedly agreed to participate in this coalition, signaling international cooperation in addressing regional security challenges.
