The United States says it has attacked an Iran-backed Shia militia group's facilities in Iraq, in response to a rocket assault against US-led coalition forces.
The Defense Department released a statement on Thursday. It said that the US airstrikes targeted five weapons storage facilities belonging to Kataib Hezbollah.
The Pentagon suggested that Shia militia members were responsible for the rocket assault a day earlier on Camp Taji. The base is located north of the capital Baghdad. Two service members from the US and one from Britain were killed.
Defense Secretary Mark Esper said, "The United States will not tolerate attacks against our people, our interests, or our allies." He suggested that the US is ready for more offensives if the militia groups continue their aggression.
US forces killed the founder of Kataib Hezbollah when they assassinated top Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani in January. The militia group vowed to retaliate.
Concerns are rising that this latest attack will further heighten tensions between the US and Iran.
NHK
