Intel: Pentagon says Iran-backed groups 'likely' behind deadly Iraq attack
Rocket attacks that left one British and two American service members dead in Iraq March 11 were likely the work of Iranian-backed militias, the top US military commander in the Middle East told Congress today.
Rocket attacks that left one British and two American service members dead in Iraq March 11 were likely the work of an Iranian-backed Shiite proxy group, the top US military commander in the Middle East told Congress today.
Why it matters: Wednesday’s attack, which utilized Soviet-era rocket artillery to attack Camp Taji, where coalition troops are based just 17 miles (27 kilometers) north of Baghdad, bore the hallmarks of Iran-backed Khataib Hezbollah, US Central Command chief Gen. Kenneth McKenzie said.
While the United States has been able to deter direct Iranian strikes against US forces after the Jan. 8 ballistic missile attack on the Ain al-Asad airbase in Iraq, McKenzie conceded that Iranian proxy groups are still attacking with the goal of expelling American troops.
Back-and-forth: The Pentagon launched attacks against Khataib Hezbollah’s weapons caches after American contractor Nawres Hamed was killed in a similar rocket strike on Dec. 27.
