The attack occurred at the Erbil Air Base, located about 225 miles north of Baghdad.
President Biden ordered retaliatory strikes on three facilities “used by Kataib Hezbollah and affiliated groups in Iraq,” Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin said late on Monday.
“These precision strikes are a response to a series of attacks against US personnel in Iraq and Syria by Iranian-sponsored militias, including an attack by Iran-affiliated Kataib Hezbollah and affiliated groups on Erbil Air Base earlier today, and intended to disrupt and degrade capabilities of the Iran-aligned militia groups directly responsible,” Austin said.
“Today’s attack led to three injuries to U.S. personnel, leaving one service member in critical condition,” he continued.
“My prayers are with the brave Americans who were injured.”
Austin further stated that he and the president are prepared to defend the US and its troops as necessary.
“There is no higher priority,” Austin said.
“While we do not seek to escalate conflict in the region, we are committed and fully prepared to take further necessary measures to protect our people and our facilities.”