Move FM Global News

WASHINGTON, DC – Iran has lashed out at the United States over a series of drone attacks carried out against Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) bases affiliated with Kataib Hezbollah in Iraq.

The militant group, an off-shoot of the Lebanese resistance group Hezbollah, backed by Iran, has been actively engaged against Islamic State also known as Daesh and ISIS, and in the past has drawn tacid support from western allies for their efforts. However the Pentagon, in waging the strikes, has claimed it has done so because the group has injured a number of U.S. military personnel in the region.

At least twenty-five people were killed in the U.S. drones attack on Sunday, and 51 were injured.

Iran was hugely critical of the airstrikes which took place in Iraq’s western Anbar province, which were also condemned by Hezbollah.

“The attacks once again proved the U.S.’ false claim about fighting the Daesh (ISIS) Takfiri group, since the United States has struck the positions of the forces who have dealt heavy blows to the Daesh terrorists over the past years,” Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Seyed Abbas Mousavi said in a statement released on Monday.

“The U.S. has demonstrated its decisive support for terrorism and disregard for the independence and sovereignty of nations by launching these attacks, and it must accept the responsibility for the consequences of such illegal measures,” the Iranian diplomat said.

The presence of foreign forces in the region creates insecurity, convulsion, and crisis, the Iranian spokesperson said, adding, “The U.S. must end its occupier-style presence (in the region).”

Mousavi reaffirmed Iran’s support for ‘the independence, territorial integrity, and sovereignty of Iraq,’ and expressed sympathy with the families of those ‘martyred and wounded’ in the U.S. attacks.

The Pentagon however has defended the attacks.

“U.S. forces have conducted precision defensive strikes against five Kataib Hezbollah (KH) facilities in Iraq and Syria that will degrade KH’s ability to conduct future attacks against OIR coalition forces,” Deputy U.S. Defense Secretary Jonathan Hoffman said in a statement released on Sunday.

“The five targets include three KH locations in Iraq and two in Syria. These locations included weapon storage facilities and command and control locations that KH uses to plan and execute attacks on OIR coalition forces.”

“Recent KH strikes included a 30-plus rocket attack on an Iraqi base near Kirkuk that resulted in the death of a U.S. citizen and injured four U.S. service members and two members of the Iraqi Security Forces,” Hoffman said.

“KH has a strong linkage with Iran’s Quds Force and has repeatedly received lethal aid and other support from Iran that it has used to attack OIR coalition forces.”

“The OIR coalition is in Iraq at the invitation of the Iraqi government to ensure the lasting defeat of ISIS and provide advice and assistance to the ISF. The U.S. and its coalition partners fully respect Iraqi sovereignty, and support a strong and independent Iraq. The U.S., however, will not be deterred from exercising its right of self-defense,” the Pentagon statement said.

“It is important to note that KH attacks have also injured multiple members of the Iraqi Security Forces. Secretary Esper and Prime Minister Mahdi have shared with each other their commitment to see these KH attacks on ISF and OIR forces cease once and for all,” said the assistant U.S. defense secretary.

“Iran and their KH proxy forces must cease their attacks on U.S. and coalition forces, and respect Iraq’s sovereignty, to prevent additional defensive actions by U.S. forces.”