Ryder Spokesperson: “Air strike in self-defense… “There were no civilian casualties.”
Iraqi Prime Minister: “We will hold the U.S. and coalition forces responsible for the airstrikes…” “Infringement of sovereignty”
The U.S. Department of Defense announced on the 4th (local time) that the United States killed a pro-Iranian militia leader in an airstrike in Iraq.
U.S. Department of Defense spokesman Pat Ryder said in a briefing that day, “The U.S. military conducted an airstrike in Iraq in self-defense and killed Mushtaq Jawad Kazim al-Zawari, the head of the pro-Iranian militia Hakarat al-Nujaba based in Iraq and Syria.” revealed.
“Al-Zawari, known as Abu Takwa, was actively involved in planning and executing the attack on U.S. forces,” Ryder said. “The attack unfolded around noon on January 4, and an airstrike killed al-Zawari and another member of the group.” He said.
He continued, “The airstrikes were carried out in self-defense, there were no civilian casualties, and (Iraq’s) infrastructure was not damaged.”
The U.S. military is stationing 2,500 and 900 troops in Iraq and Syria, respectively, to counter the Sunni extremist armed group Islamic State (IS). The U.S. military is building a partnership with Iraqi security forces and Kurdish forces in Iraq to combat IS.
“American troops are stationed in Iraq at the request of the Iraqi government,” Ryder said. “The reason they are there is to support the mission of defeating IS. “We will work closely with our partners in Iraq to ensure the safety and security of Iraq,” he added.
On the other hand, the Iraqi government criticized the US airstrikes, saying they had heightened regional tensions.
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohamed Shia al-Sudani said in a statement, “Iraqi forces will hold the international coalition responsible for this airstrike,” and defined it as “an act of escalating tensions” and a “violation of sovereignty.”
Iraq’s Foreign Ministry also said, “Iraq has the right to take a firm stand and will respond to those who harm its territory and security forces.”
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.