Trump aides call U.S. strikes on Iraq and Syria 'successful,' warn of potential further action

By Idrees Ali and Ahmed Rasheed

 

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo speaks about airstrikes by the U.S. military in Iraq and Syria, at the Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida, U.S., December 29, 2019. With him are U.S. Army General Mark Milley and U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper. REUTERS/Tom Brenner

 

WASHINGTON/BAGHDAD (Reuters) - U.S. officials said on Sunday that air strikes in Iraq and Syria against an Iran-backed militia group were successful, but warned that "additional actions" may still be taken in the region to defend U.S. interests.

 

The U.S. military carried out the strikes on Sunday against the Kataib Hezbollah militia group in response to the killing of a U.S. civilian contractor in a rocket attack on an Iraqi military base, officials said.

 

U.S. President Donald Trump was briefed by his top national security advisers following the strikes at his Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida.

 

"We will not stand for the Islamic Republic of Iran to take actions that put American men and women in jeopardy," U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told reporters after the briefing with Trump.

 

Pompeo, Defense Secretary Mark Esper and General Mark Milley, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, appeared briefly in a club ballroom to comment on the airstrikes.

 

Esper termed the offensive "successful," but said that Trump was informed that a further military response could be warranted.

 

"We discussed with him other options that are available," Esper said. "I would note also that we will take additional actions as necessary to ensure that we act in our own self-defense and we deter further bad behavior from militia groups or from Iran."

 

Iraqi security and militia sources said at least 25 militia fighters were killed and at least 55 wounded following three U.S. air strikes in Iraq on Sunday.

 

At least four local Kataib Hezbollah commanders were among the dead, the sources said, adding that one of the strikes had targeted the militia group's headquarters near the western Qaim district on the border with Syria.

 

The Pentagon said it had targeted three locations of the Iranian-backed Shi'ite Muslim militia group in Iraq and two in Syria. The locations included weapons storage facilities and command and control locations the group had used to plan and execute attacks on coalition forces, it said.

 

A U.S. official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said the strikes were carried out by F-15 fighter jets.

 

The United States had accused Kataib Hezbollah of carrying out a strike involving more than 30 rockets on Friday which killed the U.S. civilian contractor and injured four U.S. service members and two members of the Iraqi Security Forces near the oil-rich city of Kirkuk.

 

"In response to repeated Kata'ib Hizbollah attacks on Iraqi bases that host Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR) coalition forces, U.S. forces have conducted precision defensive strikes ... that will degrade KH's ability to conduct future attacks against OIR coalition forces" chief Pentagon spokesman Jonathan Hoffman said in a statement.

 

Earlier this month, Pompeo blamed Iranian-backed forces for a series of attacks on bases in Iraq and warned Iran that any attacks by Tehran or proxies that harmed Americans or allies would be "answered with a decisive U.S. response."

 

Tensions have heightened between Tehran and Washington since last year when Trump pulled the United States out of Tehran's 2015 nuclear deal with six powers and reimposed sanctions that have crippled Iran's economy.

 

(Reporting by Idrees Ali in Washington, Ahmed Rasheed in Iraq and Steve Holland in Palm Beach, Fla; Writing by Lindsay Dunsmuir, Jason Lange and James Oliphant in Washington; Editing by Tom Brown and Diane Craft)

 

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2019-12-31

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Of course none of this would have happened if the "Stable Genius" had not pulled out of the Iran agreement.

However, Trump wants this war to help with his re-election.

5 minutes ago, Spike1938 said:

Of course none of this would have happened if the "Stable Genius" had not pulled out of the Iran agreement.

However, Trump wants this war to help with his re-election.

Stable Genius has created a distrust of US military and will curtail the flow of intelligence information by allies needed to fight the war in ME. 

The military is polling at just over 50% strongly disapproving of trump mid 20s approving less and less are willing to follow this guy and yes if trump dident Welch on the nuclear agreement this wouldent have happened

Interesting. Despite "Reporting by Idrees Ali in Washington, Ahmed Rasheed in Iraq and Steve Holland in Palm Beach, Fla" there is no mention of Iraq's angered response at the breach of their sovereignty by this attack and warning of significant consequences for US attack on "Iraqi Armed Forces" as reported on non-US media.

 

Ahmed's piece cut out as it didn't fit the narrative? Not good PR in US to hear that the country they "liberated" has turned against them?

9 minutes ago, Tug said:

The military is polling at just over 50% strongly disapproving of trump mid 20s approving less and less are willing to follow this guy and yes if trump dident Welch on the nuclear agreement this wouldent have happened

Reading the msm again?

 

https://www.stripes.com/news/veterans/pew-survey-vets-support-of-trump-as-commander-exceeds-public-s-but-some-question-his-military-judgment-1.598182

 

https://www.militarytimes.com/news/pentagon-congress/2019/12/17/half-of-active-duty-service-members-are-unhappy-with-trump-new-military-times-poll-shows/

46 minutes ago, rabas said:

Reading the msm again?

 

https://www.stripes.com/news/veterans/pew-survey-vets-support-of-trump-as-commander-exceeds-public-s-but-some-question-his-military-judgment-1.598182

 

https://www.militarytimes.com/news/pentagon-congress/2019/12/17/half-of-active-duty-service-members-are-unhappy-with-trump-new-military-times-poll-shows/

Do you understand that the first poll is of veterans, not active members of the armed services? 

The second poll you linked to, which is of active members of the armed services, shows that 50% disapprove and 42% approve.

12 minutes ago, bristolboy said:

Do you understand that the first poll is of veterans, not active members of the armed services? 

The second poll you linked to, which is of active members of the armed services, shows that 50% disapprove and 42% approve.

Yes.

 

Do you see that both polls accurately reflect the view of service members past and present and strongly contradict to 20% approval disinformation in the post I responded to? Which was my point.

 

While reading, did you note that Trump is still well ahead of Obama's ratings? But that is an inconvenience in today's disinformation world. 

 

Edited December 31, 20196 yr by rabas

30 minutes ago, rabas said:

Yes.

 

Do you see that both polls accurately reflect the view of service members past and present and strongly contradict to 20% approval disinformation in the post I responded to? Which was my point.

 

While reading, did you note that Trump is still well ahead of Obama's ratings? But that is an inconvenience in today's disinformation world. 

 

But it's active service members who actually have skin in the game when push comes to shove.

But thanks for the but but but Obama.

8 hours ago, webfact said:

"In response to repeated Kata'ib Hizbollah attacks on Iraqi bases that host Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR) coalition forces, U.S. forces have conducted precision defensive strikes ... that will degrade KH's ability to conduct future attacks against OIR coalition forces" chief Pentagon spokesman Jonathan Hoffman said in a statement.

And in a further statement, President Donald J. Trump said that Hizbollah will pay for the munitions used in the attack.

52 minutes ago, rabas said:

Do you see that both polls accurately reflect the view of service members past and present and strongly contradict to 20% approval disinformation in the post I responded to? Which was my point.

Personally I read ... 

 

1 hour ago, Tug said:

mid 20s approving less and less

meaning age not percentage.

3 hours ago, rabas said:

Reading the msm again?

 

https://www.stripes.com/news/veterans/pew-survey-vets-support-of-trump-as-commander-exceeds-public-s-but-some-question-his-military-judgment-1.598182

 

https://www.militarytimes.com/news/pentagon-congress/2019/12/17/half-of-active-duty-service-members-are-unhappy-with-trump-new-military-times-poll-shows/

Yet another fallacious attack on main stream media.... the msm is quoting these same figures at present. These continued fallacious attacks on the msm are detrimental to the freedom of the press and are designed to keep the ignorant ignorant.

"We’re going to take out seven countries in five years, starting with Iraq, and then Syria, Lebanon, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and, finishing off, Iran."

7 hours ago, rabas said:

Yes.

 

Do you see that both polls accurately reflect the view of service members past and present and strongly contradict to 20% approval disinformation in the post I responded to? Which was my point.

 

While reading, did you note that Trump is still well ahead of Obama's ratings? But that is an inconvenience in today's disinformation world. 

 

Spin anyway you like the facts remain those #s aren’t good for trump as far as reading or watching msn they are much more carefull about facts than social media  and the fact remains that if trump dident Welch on the nuclear agreement we wouldent be bombing each other 

US embassy in Iraq attacked by protesters angry at air strikes on militia https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-50956111

17 minutes ago, Bluespunk said:

US embassy in Iraq attacked by protesters angry at air strikes on militia https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-50956111

This strike seems to be good for Iran, as it may divert attention towards the US, during a period of protests against Iranian influence.

If the Iranians want retaliation, hit Saudi again with double the armament they used the first time.. 

16 hours ago, webfact said:

Iraqi security and militia sources said at least 25 militia fighters were killed and at least 55 wounded following three U.S. air strikes in Iraq on Sunday.

Blood on Trump hands. How many civilians in the fatality and injury list. 

I think Ayatollah Khomeini should thank Trump for the slightly belated Christmas present"

 

Violent protests erupt around U.S. Embassy in Baghdad after U.S. air strikes

Protesters and militia fighters enraged by U.S. air strikes on Iraq staged a violent demonstration outside the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad on Tuesday, torching a security post and hurling stones as security forces and embassy guards hit back with stun grenades and tear gas.

 

Iraqi officials said the ambassador and other staff had been evacuated, but this could not be confirmed with American officials.

In Washington, U.S. President Donald Trump accused Iran of orchestrating the violence and said Tehran would be held responsible.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iraq-security-usa/us-embassy-in-baghdad-evacuated-as-protesters-denounce-us-air-strikes-idUSKBN1YZ0IO

I think Trump and Pompeo will have to explain why wasn’t a surgical strike on key leaders of the Kataib Hezbollah militia preferred rather than series of air strikes that caused large number of fatalities and injuries. Also whether the Iraq government was informed and cooperated. 

Pay the price if you mess with the US.

22 minutes ago, mike787 said:

Pay the price if you mess with the US.

I beg to differ you are wittnessing the fruits of an incompetent foreign policy if trump hadn’t broken the nuclear treaty with Iran  we wouldent be in  this totally unessary suituation we may be witnessing the USA beeing run out of the Middle East if so the squandering of blood and treasure will have been staggering

5 hours ago, Tug said:

I beg to differ you are wittnessing the fruits of an incompetent foreign policy if trump hadn’t broken the nuclear treaty with Iran  we wouldent be in  this totally unessary suituation we may be witnessing the USA beeing run out of the Middle East if so the squandering of blood and treasure will have been staggering

You all above have completely missed the incompetent foreign policy that is the cause of this Iranian problem: The invasion of Iraq after 9/11 (like invading Paraguay after Pearl Harbor) dismantled the Sunni government and army in Iraq and opened the door for Iran to take Shia-control of the country. So Bush/Cheney are responsible for this Iraq disaster and counting. 

Edited January 1, 20206 yr by morrobay

12 minutes ago, morrobay said:

You all above have completely missed the foreign policy that is the cause of this Iranian problem: The invasion of Iraq after 9/11 (like invading Paraguay after Pearl Harbor) dismantled the Sunni government and army in Iraq and opened the door for Iran to take Shia-control of the country. 

No one has missed the cause of the present situation. Whatever the more distant cause of the problem, the fact is that it was the Trump administration that has both pulled out of the nuclear agreement and has been applying maximum economic pressure on Iran. There was no necessity to undertake either action.

Militia supporters chanting ‘Death to America’ break into U.S. Embassy compound in Baghdad.

Thousands of angry supporters of an Iranian-backed militia chanting "Death to America" stormed entrances to the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad on Tuesday, laying bare the fragility of the U.S. presence in Iraq and its 17 years of investment there.

Members of the U.S.-trained Iraqi security forces stood by as supporters of the Kataib Hezbollah militia surged into the usually heavily guarded Green Zone, breached the main embassy reception area and set it on fire.

They hung the flags of their militia on the barbed wire protecting the compound, daubed pro-Iranian slogans on its walls and tossed molotov cocktails into its lawns.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/iran-backed-militia-supporters-converge-on-us-embassy-in-baghdad-shouting-death-to-america/2019/12/31/93f050b2-2bb1-11ea-bffe-020c88b3f120_story.html?arc404=true

53 minutes ago, bristolboy said:

No one has missed the cause of the present situation. 

You could have fooled me. Sometimes a strongman is required to keep the lid on. IE. Removing Ghadaffi in Libya led to Benghazi. Obama and Hillary aided and abetted that incompetent foreign policy. Not even going to comment on 18 years in Afghanistan?? 

13 hours ago, Bluespunk said:

US embassy in Iraq attacked by protesters angry at air strikes on militia https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-50956111

Fortunately this time we have Trump.  We will not have another Benghazi.

27 minutes ago, Kelsall said:

Fortunately this time we have Trump.  We will not have another Benghazi.

But but it was Trump that unsettled the situation in the Middle East. We may have worse than Benghazi in the horizon. 

47 minutes ago, Kelsall said:

Fortunately this time we have Trump.  We will not have another Benghazi.

I would certainly hope not with all the assets we have all over Iraq there is no comparison to Libya none but because of trumps utter incompetence we do have this situation so I guess he gets credit for that

9 hours ago, mike787 said:

Pay the price if you mess with the US.

Unfortunately, it's the US that pays the price. Over $1 trillion for the war in the first decade of this century. God knows how much has been shuffled in since 2010.