"U.S. Drone Strike Eliminates Iran-Backed Militia Leader in Baghdad Amid Escalating Tensions"
U.S. forces conducted a self-defense strike in Iraq, killing Mushtaq Jawad Kazim al-Jawari, a leader of the Iran-backed Harakat al-Nujaba terrorist group. The Pentagon confirmed the strike, emphasizing it was a defensive action with no civilian harm or infrastructure damage. The U.S. presence in Iraq, part of the Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve, continues to support the defeat of ISIS in partnership with Iraqi and Kurdish Security Forces. The U.S. also expressed readiness to assist Japan following a recent earthquake.