Staff Reports
The Middle East is once again witnessing heightened violence as Iranian-backed terror proxies persist in targeting American troops. In a recent attack on Christmas morning, a kamikaze drone launched by Kataib Hezbollah and affiliated groups struck Erbil Air Base in Iraq, resulting in three U.S. service members being wounded, with one in critical condition. This incident is part of a concerning pattern of attacks by Iranian terror proxies in the region.
In response to the attack, President Biden, after being briefed on the situation, took action by requesting options for a response. Subsequently, he authorized strikes on facilities used by the Iran-backed terrorists for their drone operations against American troops. The Pentagon confirmed that U.S. CENTCOM forces conducted "necessary and proportionate strikes on three facilities used by Kataib Hezbollah and affiliated groups in Iraq" in direct response to the assault on U.S. service members.
U.S. CENTCOM conducts strikes against Kataib Hezbollah terrorist group targets in Iraq
In response to multiple attacks against coalition forces in Iraq and Syria, U.S. military forces conducted airstrikes against multiple facilities used by Kataib Hezbollah and affiliated groups… pic.twitter.com/mmL4WqFXq9
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) December 26, 2023
General Michael Erik Kurilla, U.S. Central Command Commander, underscored the purpose of the strikes, emphasizing their intent to hold accountable those responsible for the attacks on coalition forces and to degrade their ability to continue launching assaults against U.S. troops. This decisive action marks a welcome stance against Iranian-backed militants.
Despite the recent response, skepticism lingers regarding the Biden administration's commitment. The White House has seemingly overlooked over 100 attacks on U.S. troops by Iranian proxies since the October 7 attack on Israel by Hamas terrorists. While some airstrikes were ordered, they appeared to be minimal, targeting reported empty warehouses.
While it's positive that President Biden ordered strikes in response to the latest attack on Americans, a more robust and sustained response is needed to halt the escalating violence orchestrated by Tehran's proxies. If the administration continues to focus on "proportionate" responses, it remains uncertain whether the attacks on Americans will cease.
The critical question now is whether President Biden will demonstrate strength in the face of these attacks or if he will take more substantive action to safeguard our brave men and women in uniform from the relentless aggression of Iranian-backed militants. Only time will reveal the administration's approach to this ongoing challenge.
