A US drone strike in Baghdad has resulted in the death of a senior commander of the Iran-backed militia, Kataib Hezbollah.
The targeted vehicle, carrying the militia leader and two guards, was struck in the eastern part of the Iraqi capital, resulting in the deaths of all three occupants. The Pentagon has identified the commander as Abu Baqir al-Saadi, attributing responsibility for directing attacks on US forces in the region to him.
Kataib Hezbollah has been linked to a recent drone attack in Jordan that claimed the lives of three US troops. The drone raid is viewed as a significant escalation in tensions, occurring amid heightened unrest in the region.
The US Central Command (Centcom) emphasized the precision of the strike and stated that there were no indications of collateral damage or civilian casualties. This development follows a series of retaliatory strikes by the US in the Iraq-Syria border area in response to the January drone attack in Jordan.
President Joe Biden had previously characterized these actions as just the beginning of the US response. The drone raid in Baghdad is likely to further strain relations, prompting calls for retaliation from various militias in Iraq.
