BAGHDAD: On February 7, a US drone strike targeted a militia commander in Baghdad, resulting in his death. The strike was conducted in response to attacks on US servicemembers, according to a statement from US Central Command (CENTCOM).
The commander was identified as Wissam Mohammed “Abu Baqir” al-Saadi, who was reportedly responsible for planning and participating in attacks on US forces in the region. Another militia commander, Arkan al-Alawi, was also reportedly killed in the strike, as per sources from Kataib Hezbollah and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
However, the Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder stated that initial assessments indicated only one militia commander was targeted and killed.
The US has faced increased attacks from militia groups in Iraq and Syria, with near-daily rocket and drone assaults escalating since the Israel-Hamas conflict in October. Pentagon Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh noted that militias have targeted US forces 168 times since October 17, resulting in casualties among US personnel.
In response, the US conducted airstrikes against 85 targets linked to the IRGC and Iranian proxies, with Ryder stating that 80 of the targets were destroyed or damaged.
While the US has previously targeted Kataib Hezbollah facilities in response to attacks on its forces, the limited responses have not deterred the militias from continuing their assaults. Analysts emphasize the need for a robust US military response to protect its personnel and national security interests in the region.
