Escalating Tensions: US Airstrikes on Iranian-backed Militants Continue

A major Iranian-backed militant group in Iraq, Kataib Hezbollah, has warned that it may strike additional U.S. targets if U.S. airstrikes continue. This comes after U.S. warplanes killed multiple militants in response to the first use of short-range ballistic missiles against U.S. forces at Al-Asad Air Base. The back-and-forth strikes have escalated since Iranian-backed militant groups began targeting U.S. facilities in October, with at least 66 rocket and missile attacks hitting U.S. facilities and injuring 62 service members. The recent escalation reflects the delicate balance the Iraqi government must strike between Iranian factions and the U.S. military presence. The U.S. has moved assets to the region to deter further conflict, but has stated that it will take further action if necessary.