On Wednesday, the United States eliminated a Kata'ib Hezbollah leader linked to the recent drone strike that killed three U.S. soldiers in Jordan late last month.
"On February 7, U.S. Central Command (Centcom) forces conducted a unilateral strike in Iraq in response to the attacks on U.S. service members," the statement said, claiming it killed one of those responsible for planning and participating in the attacks against U.S. forces.
USCENTCOM Conducts Strike Killing Kata’ib Hezbollah Senior Leader
At 9:30 p.m. (Baghdad Time) February 7, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces conducted a unilateral strike in Iraq in response to the attacks on U.S. service members, killing a Kata’ib Hezbollah commander… pic.twitter.com/Zhkjimx5UG
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) February 7, 2024
The U.S. drone operation was conducted at around 9:30 p.m. against a car that also killed two other militia members, The Guardian reported. Among the dead is believed to be Wissam Mohammed "Abu Bakr" al-Saadi, the commander in charge of Kata'ib Hezbollah's operations in Syria. However, this information has not yet been confirmed.
"The United States will continue to take necessary action to protect our people. We will not hesitate to hold responsible all those who threaten our forces' safety," Centcom assured in its statement.
🚨 #BREAKING | U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announces in a statement that it executed a targeted strike in Iraq, eliminating a Kata'ib Hezbollah leader implicated in aggressions against U.S. forces. pic.twitter.com/vBxGqxdXsx
— VOZ (@Voz_US) February 7, 2024
The first strike in response to the killing of the soldiers
The United States, a few days ago, also struck more than 85 targets of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Quds Force and affiliated militia groups as part of its retaliation for the killing of the three U.S. soldiers.
The targets of these bombings were command and control operations centers, intelligence, rocket and missile centers, and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) storage facilities. Logistical and ammunition supply chain facilities of militia groups were also targeted.
It should be recalled that the United States held Iran responsible for supplying the weapons to those who carried out the deadly attack in Jordan and promised to carry out a "multi-layered" response that would be sustained over time.
