The US attacked two positions in Iraq

The US said it carried out airstrikes on two locations south of the Iraqi capital Baghdad today.

“Precision strikes” by warplanes were conducted in direct response to recent attacks by Iran and Iran-backed groups on US and coalition forces, US military command Centcom said.

An airstrike near Baghdad yesterday targeted a vehicle belonging to a pro-Iranian armed group, two security sources said – before the United States said it was behind the attacks that claimed “several lives”.

Iran-backed Hezbollah fighters said five of their fighters were killed in the attack. The militants said the casualties occurred in Zurf al-Sachar, south of the capital Baghdad.

Attacks on American bases

In recent weeks, dozens of U.S. soldiers have been wounded in a series of attacks on U.S. military bases in Syria and Iraq. About 900 US troops are stationed in Syria and 2,500 in Iraq. They are intended to help prevent the resurgence of Islamic State (IS) jihadist fighters.

According to the U.S. Department of Defense, a total of 66 attacks have taken place since the brutal Islamist group Hamas launched a major attack on Israel — 32 in Iraq and 34 in Syria.

A group known as the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, which Washington says is linked to Iran, has claimed responsibility for most of the attacks. In response, the U.S. repeatedly struck the positions of pro-Iranian groups in Syria.