In a statement from the US Central Command (CENTCOM), US forces launched a unilateral strike in Iraq around 21.30 in response to attacks on US soldiers.
The statement said the attack killed a Kata’ib Hezbollah commander responsible for directly planning and participating in attacks against US forces in the region.
There was no indication of civilian casualties or casualties in the attack, the statement said, adding that the US will continue to take the necessary steps to protect its soldiers.
Iraqi Shiite militia Hashd al-Shaadi announced that one of its commanders, Abu Bakr al-Saadi, was killed in an airstrike in Baghdad.
The Iranian-backed group, known as Kataib Hezbollah (Hezbollah Brigades), is one of the elements of the umbrella organization Hashd al-Shaabi.
HASHD AL-SHABI ANNOUNCED
On the other hand, the Shiite militia Hashd al-Shaadi announced that one of its commanders, Abu Bakr al-Saadi, was killed in an airstrike in Baghdad.
Iraqi official news agency INA quoted a statement made by the Hashd al-Shaabi.
The statement said that Abu Bakr al-Saadi, one of the Hashd al-Shaadi commanders, was killed in the airstrike.
In a written statement issued by the Iraqi government’s Security Media Network, it was reported that “a vehicle was targeted in the Mashtel area east of Baghdad, the vehicle was burned and the occupant was killed.”
Investigations are ongoing to identify the source of the attack.
The Iraqi government has not yet made any statement on the issue.
IRAQ DESCRIBED THE ATTACK AS A “HOSTILE ATTACK ON SOVEREIGNTY”
The Iraqi government said the US targeting of the commander of the Shiite militia Hashd al-Shaabi “is an attack on sovereignty and undermines all agreements”.
In a written statement, General Tahsin Hafaji, head of the Security Media Network affiliated to the Iraqi government, stated that the US attack on the Hashd al-Shaabi commander in Baghdad undermined all agreements between Iraq and the US and said, “We hold the US and coalition forces responsible for this attack that threatens the security and well-being of Iraq.”
Hafaji said the attack was a “hostile violation” of Iraq’s sovereignty and would have dangerous repercussions in the region.
