Iraq has condemned the US for a “clearly hostile act” after Joe Biden ordered airstrikes that killed one militant and wounded 18 others.
Biden retaliated against a suicide drone attack that wounded three US service members on Monday by sending fighter jets to three facilities in Hilla used by Kataib Hezbollah militants.
US forces in the Middle East have been attacked more than 100 times since the October 7 terrorist attack by Hamas as tensions soar.
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammad Shia al-Sudani labeled the attack “counterproductive” and “unacceptable” and warned that he would respond.
It also condemned the Biden administration for attacking military targets “under the guise of retaliation.”
A funeral was held for dead fighter Hassan Hammadi al-Amiri and attended by dozens of mourners shouting “No, no to America,” a photographer said.
Many in the crowd carried hashed flags and photos of Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani, who was killed in a US attack in Baghdad in January 2020.
Iraq has condemned the US for a “clearly hostile act” after Joe Biden ordered airstrikes that killed one militant and wounded 18 others. Members of Kataeb Hezbollah carry the body of Hassan Hammadi al-Amiri, who was killed in the attack
An Iraqi Kataib Hezbollah fighter and another man inspect the site of the US airstrikes in Hilla
'The Iraqi government emphasizes that it will deal decisively with the attacks by some elements on the premises of foreign diplomatic missions or in places where the military advisors of friendly countries are stationed; These attacks are hostile and have a negative impact on Iraqi sovereignty and cannot be accepted under any circumstances,” al-Sudani said.
“At the same time, the Iraqi government condemns the incident that occurred in the early hours of today, Tuesday, December 26, when Iraqi military bases were targeted under the guise of retaliation by the United States and led to the martyrdom of one of its Iraqi soldiers. members and the injury of 18 others.
“This is a hostile and unconstructive action. And it goes against the US's stated desire to strengthen relations.
“We emphasize that such actions damage the bilateral relations of the two countries and complicate the ways to reach an agreement on ending the presence of the international coalition, and most importantly, it demonstrates an unacceptable violation of Iraq's sovereignty.”
A funeral was held for dead fighter Hassan Hammadi al-Amiri and attended by dozens of mourners shouting “No, no to America,” a photographer said.
Joe Biden is seen on December 23, shortly before boarding Marine One to fly to Camp David for the Christmas holidays
Biden, who is spending Christmas at Camp David, was briefed on the attack that wounded the American trio at a base near Erbil airport.
The president then made the decision to retaliate, and the US military carried out the attacks at 1:45 pm GMT, likely killing “a number of Kataib Hezbollah militants” and destroying several facilities used by the group.
Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, head of U.S. Central Command, said the airstrikes were in direct retaliation.
“These attacks are intended to hold accountable the elements directly responsible for attacks on coalition forces in Iraq and Syria and reduce their ability to continue the attacks,” he said.
“We will always protect our armed forces.”
The Pentagon has not released any details about the identity of the military wounded soldier or provided any details about the injuries he suffered during the attack.
Lloyd Austin, the secretary of defense, said: “My prayers are with the brave Americans who were injured.”
The White House National Security Council said Biden was briefed on the attack Monday morning and ordered the Pentagon to prepare response options against those responsible.
“The President places no higher priority than protecting American personnel in harm's way. The United States will act at a time and in a manner of our choosing should these attacks continue,” said NSC spokesperson Adrienne Watson.
Footage shared with Kurdish TV by a journalist reportedly showed the moment of impact
The Erbil base used by the US forces. Washington has deployed about 2,500 troops to Iraq
Monday's military strike and U.S. retaliation are the latest back-and-forth since a wave of violence began in mid-October, when Iran-linked militias began targeting U.S. assets in Iraq and Syria over Washington's support for Israel in its war against Hamas in Gaza. .
Since October 17, there have been 103 attacks on its forces in Iraq and Syria.
The majority of these attacks have been claimed by the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, which opposes US support for Israel in its war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
In early December, the US embassy in Baghdad was targeted by rocket fire. That attack, the first of its kind since the start of the war in Gaza, was not claimed by any group.
Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani's office announced several arrests and said some were linked to the security services.
Washington has deployed about 2,500 troops to Iraq and about 900 to Syria.
The international coalition has been fighting Islamic State since 2014.