The Pentagon has said that the U.S. military carried out strikes against Iran-backed military group in Iraq and Syria, two days after a rocket attack on an Iraqi base leading to the death of an American civilian contractor. U.S. forces have conducted “precision defensive strikes” against three Kata’ib Hezbollah (KH) facilities in Iraq and two in Syria, Xinhua news agency reported citing Assistant to the Secretary of Defence Jonathan Hoffmanas saying here on Sunday. According to media reports, at least 25 militia fighters were killed and 55 others injured due to the strikes in Iraq. KH has strong ties with Iran’s Quds Force and has repeatedly received aid and other support from Tehran, according to Hoffmanas. The troops are part of the U.S.-led international coalition that has been conducting air raids against IS targets in both Iraq and Syria.

Source: The Hindu December 30, 2019 03:11 UTC