According to a statement by the U.S. Central Command reported on ABC News, on Wednesday, February 7, the U.S. forces executed an airstrike in Baghdad, Iraq, aiming at a senior leader of an Iranian-backed militia, identified as Abu Baqir Al-Saadi, who is responsible for ” directly planning and participating” in the latest attacks on a U.S. base in Jordan, that killed three American soldiers.
A U.S. official reported that President Joe Biden authorized this action.
“There are no indications of collateral damage or civilian casualties at this time,” the statement said. “The United States will continue to take necessary action to protect our people. We will not hesitate to hold responsible all those who threaten our forces’ safety.”
Iraqi authorities confirmed that leader Al-Saadi, senior commander of the Hezbollah militia, and two of his escorts were dead. They are investigating an incident where a civilian vehicle was involved, in the Al-Mashal area. Security sources reported closures of Green Zone entrances in anticipation of potential retaliation against U.S. facilities in Iraq.
This is only part of a largest mission, in response to the Jordan attack, as National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan announced a few days ago.
