In a strong response to the Sunday ballistic missile attack on Al-Assad airbase in Iraq, the United States has conducted airstrikes against Iran-backed militias in Iraq. The attack resulted in four U.S. personnel suffering from traumatic brain injuries.

Under the direction of President Biden, U.S. military forces targeted three facilities used by the Iranian-backed Kataib Hezbollah militia group and other Iran-affiliated groups in Iraq. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin affirmed that these precision strikes were in direct response to a series of escalating attacks against U.S. and Coalition personnel in Iraq and Syria by Iranian-sponsored militias.

Secretary Austin emphasized that the President and he would not hesitate to take necessary action to defend the interests of the United States and its personnel. However, he made it clear that the aim was not to escalate conflict in the region, but rather to protect people and facilities. The Defense Secretary called upon the groups and their Iranian sponsors to immediately cease the attacks.

The missile attack on the Al-Assad airbase involved 17 ballistic missiles and rockets, launched from inside Iraq. While most of the projectiles were thwarted by U.S. air defenses, two ballistic missiles managed to penetrate and caused structural damage to noncritical facilities. Four U.S. service members, who were evaluated for traumatic brain injuries, have returned to their duties. Additionally, an Iraqi official was injured in the blasts.

These recent attacks on U.S. bases in Iraq and Syria, which have amounted to more than 150 rocket and drone attacks since mid-October, have been carried out by Iranian-backed militias claiming support for Palestinians in the Israeli-Hamas conflict in Gaza. However, the use of ballistic missiles in this most recent attack is seen as a concerning escalation.

Currently, approximately 2,500 American troops are serving in Iraq and 900 in Syria to prevent the resurgence of the Islamic State. However, the presence of U.S. troops in Iraq has been questioned by Iraq's parliament since the U.S. drone strike on January 4 that killed a top leader of an Iranian-backed militia group responsible for the attacks on U.S. forces. Despite retaliatory strikes carried out by the United States, the attacks by these groups have persisted.

The rising tensions in the region are evident not only in Iraq but also in Yemen. The United States has carried out retaliatory strikes in Yemen targeting Houthi militants, who have been responsible for over 30 attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. The U.S. and United Kingdom conducted a major strike on Houthi locations associated with these attacks on Monday, marking the eighth retaliatory airstrike against the Houthis since January 11. U.S. officials claim that these airstrikes have degraded the Houthis' capabilities, although attacks have continued.