FDD | July 31, 2024
Latest Developments
U.S. forces conducted a self-defense airstrike against Iran-backed terrorists in Iraq on July 30, according to U.S. officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity to The Washington Post. According to Reuters, citing Iraqi police and medical sources, the United States targeted a base south of Baghdad, killing four fighters and injuring an additional four. The base is used by Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) — an Iraqi state-sponsored paramilitary network that was originally formed to combat ISIS but has been coopted by Iran and now contains multiple Iranian-backed militias that oppose the United States and Israel.
According to The Washington Post’s reporting, U.S. officials said that they had targeted militants who “were looking to launch drones and posed a threat to U.S. and coalition forces.” The strike is the first U.S. self-defense strike in Iraq or Syria since April when a coalition aircraft struck a rocket launcher in Syria attempting to fire at a U.S. base. The last time the United States conducted retaliatory airstrikes against Iran-backed militias in Iraq and Syria was on February 2.
On July 25, Iran-backed militias attacked Ain al-Asad Air Base in Iraq and Mission Support Site Euphrates in Syria with rocket fire. Mission Support Site Euphrates was attacked again on July 26 and 27 with additional rockets. No injuries or significant damage were reported from either attack. Since October 17, Shia militias have attacked U.S. troops at least 172 times, with only 11 responses from the United States as of July 30.
Expert Analysis
“Our troops in the Middle East are under attack again, and things could get worse quickly. If the administration responds slowly or weakly, that will invite more attacks. The administration should be moving heaven and earth right now to increase the firepower and force protection for our troops in Iraq, Syria, and Jordan in particular.” — Bradley Bowman, Senior Director of FDD’s Center on Military and Political Power
“Iranian-backed militias in Iraq have consistently threatened to resume attacks on U.S. interests, likely due to stalled U.S.-Iraqi discussions concerning the withdrawal of American troops. The United States must proactively address this threat to ensure these militias are deterred and incapable of harming American servicemen.” — Ahmad Sharawi, FDD Research Analyst
Secretary Austin Underscores Commitment to Support Israel and Protect U.S. Troops
The U.S. strike came shortly after Israel’s elimination of Hezbollah’s military chief, Fuad Shukr, in Beirut and before the elimination of Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran. Following the U.S. strike, PMF released a statement on Telegram condemning the U.S. strikes and Israel’s killing of Haniyeh, saying that “the forces of evil and arrogance continue to spill blood and violate sovereignty through blatant attacks.”
During off-camera remarks to the media while in the Philippines, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said that the rise in attacks on U.S. forces and tensions between Israel and Hezbollah were related. “I think it’s all connected, but I think, quite frankly, I don’t see a return to where we were several months ago, not yet,” Austin said, confirming that the U.S. forces took out some drones that were about to be launched to protect American troops.
Austin also spoke by phone with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on July 31, following the killing of Shukr. According to a Pentagon readout of the call, Austin reiterated his “commitment to Israel’s security and right to self-defense.”
“American Forces Under Attack by Iran and its Proxies,” by Cameron McMillan and Bradley Bowman
“Iranian-Backed Terrorists Resume Attacks on U.S. Troops in Iraq,” FDD Flash Brief
“Iran-Backed Iraqi Militias Resume Attacks on U.S. Forces,” FDD Flash Brief
“The consequences of US weakness in Iraq and Syria,” by Bradley Bowman and Cameron McMillan
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.