Officials report US conducts defensive airstrike in Iraq

Two U.S. officials reported that a protective airstrike was carried out by the U.S. military in the southern region of Baghdad, Iraq on Tuesday.

One of the officials informed ABC News that U.S. forces executed a defensive airstrike in the Musayib area in Babil Province of Iraq, targeting individuals trying to launch unmanned aerial systems (OWAUAS) for an attack.

According to the official, the U.S. Central Command assessed the OWAUAS as a threat to U.S. and Coalition Forces based on recent attacks in Iraq and Syria.

Earlier on Tuesday, explosions were reported by Iraqi authorities in a region south of Baghdad that serves as a center for Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces, a collective term for militia groups supported by Iran and operating under Iraq’s Defense Ministry.

A statement from the Popular Mobilization Authority provided to ABC News mentioned, “Forces associated with the 47th Brigade… encountered an explosion of unknown origin, resulting in the death of several individuals and injuries to others.”

This was the first airstrike in Iraq since February, when a drone attack eliminated a prominent leader of an Iranian-backed militia group that was held accountable by the U.S. for nearly 170 rocket and drone assaults on U.S. bases in Iraq and Syria.

Following that attack, there was a halt in the assaults on U.S. bases, except for two incidents in April, but there have been multiple new attacks in the past week.

Unlike previous retaliatory strikes by the U.S. in Iraq and Syria in response to attacks on U.S. bases, Tuesday’s airstrike was characterized as defensive, targeting militants preparing for an assault.

Preventive airstrikes have become common in Yemen, where the U.S. has been focusing on Houthi militants gearing up for attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea region.

It remains uncertain whether the airstrike on Tuesday will result in similar actions if militants persist in targeting U.S. bases.

However, a U.S. official emphasized that the airstrike on Tuesday highlights the U.S. dedication to safeguarding its personnel and stated, “We retain the inherent right to self-defense and will not delay in taking appropriate measures.”

Approximately 2,500 U.S. troops are still stationed in Iraq and around 900 are deployed in Syria, supporting local security forces in preventing the resurgence of ISIS.

Since earlier this year, discussions have been ongoing between the U.S. and Iraq regarding modifications to the continued presence of U.S. troops in Iraq.