The U.S. military executed a defensive airstrike south of Baghdad, Iraq, on Tuesday, according to two U.S. officials.
“U.S. forces in Iraq carried out a defensive airstrike in Musayib, Babil Province, targeting combatants attempting to launch one-way attack uncrewed aerial systems (OWAUAS),” one official told media.
“Due to recent attacks in Iraq and Syria, U.S. Central Command assessed that the OWAUAS posed a threat to U.S. and Coalition Forces,” the official said.
Earlier on Tuesday, Iraqi officials reported explosions in an area south of Baghdad that serves as a hub for Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces, an umbrella term for Iranian-backed militia groups operating under Iraq’s Defense Ministry.
In a statement to media, the Popular Mobilization Authority said, “Forces affiliated with the 47th Brigade… were exposed to an explosion of unknown nature, resulting in the martyrdom of several people and the injury of others.”
This U.S. airstrike is the first in Iraq since February when a drone strike killed a top leader of one of the Iranian-backed militia groups held responsible for nearly 170 rocket and drone attacks against U.S. bases in Iraq and Syria.
The attacks against U.S. bases had ceased following that airstrike, except for two incidents in April. However, a series of new attacks have occurred over the past week.
Unlike previous U.S. airstrikes in Iraq and Syria, which were retaliatory for attacks on U.S. bases, Tuesday’s airstrike was described as defensive, targeting militants preparing an attack.
Such pre-emptive airstrikes have become common in Yemen, where the U.S. targets Houthi militants preparing attacks against commercial shipping around the Red Sea.
It remains unclear if Tuesday’s airstrike will lead to similar actions if militants continue targeting U.S. bases.
A U.S. official emphasized the U.S. commitment to protecting its personnel, stating, “We maintain the inherent right to self-defense and will not hesitate to take appropriate action.”
Currently, 2,500 U.S. troops are stationed in Iraq, with about 900 in Syria, assisting local security forces in preventing the resurgence of ISIS.
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The U.S. and Iraq have been discussing changes to the continued presence of U.S. troops in Iraq since earlier this year.