US Forces Strike Facilities Linked to Iran-Backed Kataib Hezbollah in Iraq

The United States conducted airstrikes in Iraq targeting facilities allegedly linked to Iranian-backed Kataib Hezbollah and affiliated militant groups on Jan. 23, officials confirmed. U.S. Central Command said the unilateral airstrikes were launched at 12:15 a.m. and targeted approximately three facilities used by the Kataib Hezbollah Shia militia group and affiliated groups in Iraq. Kataib Hezbollah was designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S. State Department in 2009. Its key leader, Ahmad al-Hamidawi, was named a “Specially Designated Global Terrorist” in February 2020. The strikes focused on what U.S. officials said were Kataib Hezbollah headquarters, storage, and training locations for rocket, missile, and one-way attack UAV capabilities....