US carries out defensive airstrike in Iraq: Officials
SUMMARY
The U.S. military conducted a defensive airstrike south of Baghdad on Tuesday, targeting combatants launching one-way attack uncrewed aerial systems (OWAUAS) in Musayib, Babil Province. This action, described as defensive, follows recent threats to U.S. and Coalition forces. Earlier blasts in the area, which is associated with Iraq's Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF)—an umbrella for Iranian-backed militias—resulted in casualties, but the exact nature of the explosions remains unclear. This airstrike is the first in Iraq since February and highlights U.S. commitment to protecting its personnel. The U.S. currently maintains about 2,500 troops in Iraq and 900 in Syria, focusing on preventing ISIS resurgence and discussing future troop presence with Iraq.
