US conducts strikes on Iraq facilities used by Iran-backed militia group, Defense Secretary Austin says

close Video

US and UK forces conduct strikes on Houthis

U.S. and U.K forces attacked Houthis on Jan. 22, 2024, using F-18 fighter jets from the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower aircraft carrier, as well as Tomahawk missiles.

Join Fox News for access to this content Plus get unlimited access to thousands of articles, videos and more with your free account! Please enter a valid email address. By entering your email, you are agreeing to Fox News Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, which includes our Notice of Financial Incentive. To access the content, check your email and follow the instructions provided.

The U.S. has carried out “necessary and proportionate” strikes in Iraq, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Tuesday.

U.S. forces targeted three facilities used by the Iranian-backed Kataib Hezbollah militia group and other Iran-linked groups, Austin said in a statement. 

The Kataib Hezbollah headquarters was targeted, along with storage, and training locations for rocket, missile, and one-way attack unmanned aerial vehicle capabilities, U.S. Central Command said. 

“These precision strikes are in direct response to a series of escalatory attacks against U.S. and Coalition personnel in Iraq and Syria by Iranian-sponsored militias,” said Austin. 

U.S. MILITARY BASES IN IRAQ, SYRIA ATTACKED AGAIN, BRINGING TOTAL TO AT LEAST 90 SINCE OCT. 17

F-18 fighter jets from the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower participated in air strikes on Houthi forces in Yemen. (CENTCOM / X)

The strikes were in response to the Iran proxy group Kataib Hezbollah’s massive ballistic missile attack on al-Asad air base on Saturday, and an attack on al-Asad on Tuesday, a U.S. defense official told Fox News. The group fired 17 ballistic missiles and rockets at the base, where the majority of the 2,500 troops in Iraq are stationed.

On Saturday, the U.S. Army’s Patriot missile defense system fired 15 missiles to intercept the ballistic missiles and rockets, but two got through, damaging the base and resulting in four U.S. service members being diagnosed with traumatic brain injury. 

All have returned to duty. 

Video

The attack on al-Asad on Tuesday resulted in only minor injuries. U.S. forces in Iraq have been repeatedly targeted by Iran-linked groups in multiple attacks in recent months. 

“The President and I will not hesitate to take necessary action to defend them and our interests. We do not seek to escalate conflict in the region,” Austin said. “We are fully prepared to take further measures to protect our people and our facilities. We call on these groups and their Iranian sponsors to immediately cease these attacks.”

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

U.S. forces have also conducted airstrikes in the region on Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis and have been targeted in Iraq by Iran-linked groups. 

Louis Casiano is a reporter for Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to louis.casiano@fox.com.