25 killed in US airstrike on Iran affiliated terrorist outfits in Iraq and Syria -

Washington/Baghdad/Tehran: 25 people were killed in the airstrikes carried out by the United States, on the locations of the Iran affiliated terrorist groups, in Syria and Iraq. US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo said that these attacks were carried out to target the terrorist organisation, which launched rocket attacks on the US military bases in Iraq, in the last week. US Secretary for Defence Mark Esper warned that the United States would continue to carry out such attacks to protect its interests. Meanwhile, Iran and Hezbollah have severely criticised these airstrikes.

Last week, on Friday, US airbase near the city of Kirkuk, in Iraq, was attacked with 30 rockets. A US contractor was killed in the attack and 12 US soldiers were injured. Thereafter, US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, paid an urgent visit to the Kirkuk airbase. Following this, there were four rocket attacks on the Al-Taji airport, near Baghdad, where US soldiers are deployed. No terrorist organisation has accepted the responsibility of both these attacks.

In this scenario, it was reported that five locations in Iraq and Syria, came under attack on Sunday. In the next few hours, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Secretary for Defence Mark Esper announced in a press conference that airstrikes were carried out in Syria and Iraq. The Secretary of State announced that the attacks targeted the locations of the Iran affiliated terrorist organisation, Kataib Hezbollah. The United States has already included Kataib in the list of terrorist organisations and said that this organisation was responsible for the attacks at Kirkuk.

Secretary of State Pompeo warned ‘Iran will not be allowed to play with the security of the US citizens.’ whereas, Secretary for Defence, Mark Esper said ‘The attacks carried out in Syria and Iraq were extremely successful and the United States will continue to attack Iran or its affiliated groups, to safeguard US interests. President Trump has been informed about the attacks.’

Bahrain has justified that US action in Syria and Iraq. But Iran and Hezbollah in Lebanon, have severely criticised the US action. Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Abbas Musavi accused ‘The United States has shown that it is a supporter of terrorism. The United States is challenging the independence and sovereignty of Iraq by carrying out attacks on Iraqi territory and Iraqi soldiers, instead of attacking the terrorist organisations.’ Hezbollah recorded a reaction similar to Iran.

Meanwhile, both the countries had accused Israel of carrying out attacks on the locations of Iran affiliated groups, in Syria and Iraq.