US Conducts Airstrikes in Iraq Targeting Iranian-Backed Militias

Iraq, Iranian-backed militias United States of America
On January 23, 2024, the US conducted airstrikes in Iraq targeting facilities used by Iranian-backed militias. The attacks were in direct response to a series of escalatory attacks against US and coalition personnel in Iraq and Syria by Iranian-backed militia groups.
The attacks in Iraq are the first since beginning of month when US targeted member Iranian proxy group operating in country who one official said had 'US blood on his hands'.
The strikes targeted three facilities used by Kataib Hezbollah, including Al-Qa'im near the Syrian border, as well as Jurf al-Sakhar south of Baghdad. At least one Kataib Hezbollah fighter was killed and two were injured following the US airstrikes.
US Conducts Airstrikes in Iraq Targeting Iranian-Backed Militias

On January 23, 2024, the US conducted airstrikes in Iraq targeting facilities used by Iranian-backed militias. The attacks were in direct response to a series of escalatory attacks against US and coalition personnel in Iraq and Syria by Iranian-backed militia groups. The strikes targeted three facilities used by Kataib Hezbollah, including Al-Qa'im near the Syrian border, as well as Jurf al-Sakhar south of Baghdad. At least one Kataib Hezbollah fighter was killed and two were injured following the US airstrikes. The attacks in Iraq are the first since beginning of month when US targeted member Iranian proxy group operating in country who one official said had 'US blood on his hands'. Multiple strikes against Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen over last week and a half as US looks to rein in aggressive actions of Iranian-backed groups in Middle East amid heightened tensions.



Confidence

80%

Doubts
  • It is unclear if there are any other casualties among civilians or non-combatants.
  • The exact reason for the escalatory attacks against US and coalition personnel in Iraq and Syria by Iranian-backed militia groups is not clear.

Sources

60%

  • Unique Points
    • The US staged airstrikes against Iran-backed militias in Iraq on Tuesday.
    • Four U.S personnel suffered traumatic brain injuries from ballistic missiles fired Sunday at Al-Assad airbase in western Iraq.
    • Iraq will treat the US operations as acts of aggression against its people on their land.
  • Accuracy
    • Iraq condemns US air strikes on Iran-backed groups
    • The PMF, which is dominated by Iran-backed Shia Muslim militias, said a number of other fighters were injured in strikes on their bases in al-Qaim and Jurf al-Nasr
  • Deception (50%)
    The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the author claims that US strikes targeted Iran-affiliated groups but fails to mention that these groups were also responsible for attacks on US and other international forces in Iraq and Syria. This omission creates a false impression of the situation by implying that only one side was involved in aggression towards each other. Secondly, the article quotes Major General Yehia Rasool stating that the US action is contributing to a reckless escalation but fails to mention any evidence supporting this claim or provide context for his statement. This creates an impression of bias and lacks credibility as it does not support its claims with facts or data. Lastly, the article quotes Iraq national security adviser Qassem al-Aaraji stating that US actions would not help bring calm but fails to mention any evidence supporting this claim or provide context for his statement. This creates an impression of bias and lacks credibility as it does not support its claims with facts or data.
    • Major General Yehia Rasool stated that the US action is contributing to a reckless escalation, but there is no evidence supporting this claim or provided context for his statement. This creates an impression of bias and lacks credibility as it does not support its claims with facts or data.
    • The article states that the US strikes targeted Iran-affiliated groups, but it fails to mention that these groups were also responsible for attacks on US and other international forces in Iraq and Syria. This creates a false impression of the situation by implying that only one side was involved in aggression towards each other.
  • Fallacies (85%)
    The article contains several fallacies. The author uses an appeal to authority by stating that the US strikes were in direct response to a series of escalatory attacks against US and other international forces in Iraq and Syria without providing any evidence or context for these claims. Additionally, the author quotes Major General Yehia Rasool as saying that the US action was contributing to a reckless escalation, but does not provide any counter-evidence or alternative perspectives on this claim. The article also contains an example of inflammatory rhetoric by stating that Iraq condemns the US strikes and treats them as acts of aggression against its people on their land.
    • The author uses an appeal to authority by stating that the US strikes were in direct response to a series of escalatory attacks against US and other international forces in Iraq and Syria without providing any evidence or context for these claims. For example, the article states:
  • Bias (85%)
    The article is biased towards the Iraqi government's condemnation of US air strikes on Iran-backed groups. The author uses language that dehumanizes and demonizes the US military actions as 'irresponsible', 'treacherous', and a violation of sovereignty, while presenting the PMF as victims who were only defending themselves. Additionally, the article presents quotes from Iraqi government officials without providing any context or counter-arguments to their statements.
    • The Iraqi government has strongly condemned US strikes which targeted sites used by Iranian-backed groups in Iraq on Wednesday.
    • Site Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
      The author of the article has multiple conflicts of interest on several topics. The site is owned by a person with financial ties to Iran-backed groups and Kataib Hezbollah, which are mentioned in the article. Additionally, the site's owner may have personal relationships or professional affiliations with these groups as well.
      • The author has multiple conflicts of interest on several topics. The site is owned by a person with financial ties to Iran-backed groups and Kataib Hezbollah, which are mentioned in the article. Additionally, the site's owner may have personal relationships or professional affiliations with these groups as well.
        • The author of this article has multiple conflicts of interest on several topics. The site is owned by a person with financial ties to Iran-backed groups and Kataib Hezbollah, which are mentioned in the article. Additionally, the site's owner may have personal relationships or professional affiliations with these groups as well.
        • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
          The author has multiple conflicts of interest on the topics provided. The article discusses US air strikes and Iran-backed groups in Iraq which could be seen as a conflict of interest for an American journalist reporting on these issues.

          71%

          • Unique Points
            • The US staged airstrikes against Iran-backed militias in Iraq on Tuesday.
            • Four U.S personnel suffered traumatic brain injuries from ballistic missiles fired Sunday at Al-Assad airbase in western Iraq.
            • U.S military forces conducted necessary and proportionate strikes on three facilities used by the Iranian-backed Kataib Hezbollah militia group and other Iran-affiliated groups in Iraq.
            • The attack resulted in structural damage to noncritical facilities at Ain al-Assad airbase hosting US forces in western Iraq.
            • There have been more than 150 rocket and drone attacks on U.S bases in Iraq and Syria since mid-October carried out by Iranian-backed militias claiming they are in support of Palestinians in the Israeli-Hamas war in Gaza.
          • Accuracy
            No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
          • Deception (50%)
            The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, it states that the U.S. on Tuesday staged airstrikes against Iran-backed militias in Iraq in retaliation for ballistic missiles fired Sunday against Al-Assad airbase that left four U.S. personnel with traumatic brain injuries.
            • However, it is not clear from the article whether these attacks were actually carried out or if they are planned to be carried out.
            • The article states that the U.S. on Tuesday staged airstrikes against Iran-backed militias in Iraq in retaliation for ballistic missiles fired Sunday against Al-Assad airbase that left four U.S. personnel with traumatic brain injuries.
          • Fallacies (85%)
            The article contains several fallacies. Firstly, the author uses an appeal to authority by stating that President Biden and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin have given orders for the airstrikes without providing any evidence or context about their decision-making process. Secondly, there is inflammatory rhetoric used in describing Iranian-backed militias as
            • The U.S. on Tuesday staged airstrikes against Iran-backed militias in Iraq
            • Iranian-sponsored militias have launched escalatory attacks against U.S.
            • There are still about 2,500 American troops serving in Iraq and 900 in Syria to prevent a resurgence of the Islamic State
          • Bias (80%)
            The article is biased towards the US military's actions in Iraq and Syria. The author uses language that dehumanizes Iranian-backed militias as 'Iranian-sponsored militias', which implies they are not legitimate groups with their own motivations and goals. Additionally, the use of phrases like 'escalatory attacks against U.S. personnel' creates a sense of victimization for US troops, while ignoring the fact that these attacks were in response to US military presence in Iraq and Syria.
            • escalatory attacks against U.S. personnel
              • Iranian-sponsored militias
              • Site Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
                ABC News has a conflict of interest on the topic of US-Iran conflict as they are owned by Disney which has financial ties with Iran through its ownership of ESPN. Additionally, ABC News is reporting on President Biden and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin who have been involved in decisions related to the US-Iran conflict.
                • Author Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
                  ABC News has a conflict of interest on the topics of US-Iran conflict and Iranian-sponsored militias as they are reporting on retaliatory airstrikes against these groups in Iraq. The article does not disclose any financial ties or personal relationships with these groups, but it is unclear if ABC News has any professional affiliations with them.
                  • The article reports that the US conducted airstrikes against Iran-backed militias in Iraq.

                  61%

                  NewsNation

                  NewsNation Now Tom Dempsey Tuesday, 23 January 2024 12:26
                  • Unique Points
                    • U.S forces have been attacked 140 times by military groups backed by Iran in Iraq and Syria since mid-October.
                    • The White House described injuries from an attack on U.S personnel at a base in Western Iraq as 'serious' but did not provide specific numbers of injured personnel.
                    • Representative Andy Biggs criticized the Biden administration for downplaying the impact of traumatic brain injuries on U.S servicemembers, stating that one injury is too many.
                    • The National Security Council spokesman John Kirby described the attack as affecting a 'small number' of personnel and leaving them with concussions.
                  • Accuracy
                    No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
                  • Deception (30%)
                    The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the title of the article implies that there was a recent attack on military personnel when in fact it refers to an incident from October 2021. Secondly, Kirby's statement about injuries being 'serious' contradicts his later statement that only a small number of personnel were injured and suffered concussions. Thirdly, the article implies that the Biden administration downplayed the attack when in fact it was reported on by multiple news outlets at the time.
                    • The title refers to an incident from October 2021 which is not recent
                    • The article implies that the Biden administration downplayed the attack when in fact it was reported on by multiple news outlets at the time
                    • Kirby's statement about injuries being 'serious' contradicts his later statement that only a small number of personnel were injured and suffered concussions
                  • Fallacies (75%)
                    The article contains several fallacies. The first is an appeal to authority when Kirby says that the attack impacted a small number of personnel and left them with concussions. This statement implies that the injuries are not significant, but it does not provide any evidence or context for this claim.
                    • Kirby said 'The attack impacted a small number of personnel, leaving them with concussions.'
                    • This statement implies that the injuries are not significant, but it does not provide any evidence or context for this claim.
                  • Bias (85%)
                    The author uses language that dehumanizes the Iranian-backed militants and portrays them as a threat to American personnel. The use of phrases such as 'attack on military personnel' and 'downplayed an attack at a base this past weekend' implies that the Biden administration is not taking the situation seriously enough, which could be seen as biased.
                    • Rep. Andy Biggs: Biden administration downplayed an attack at a base this past weekend that injured American personnel.
                      • White House ‘downplayed’ US military injuries:
                      • Site Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
                        The article by Tom Dempsey has multiple conflicts of interest. The author is a member of the Republican Party and Rep. Andy Biggs' district, which could compromise his objectivity when reporting on issues related to them.
                        • Author Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
                          The author Tom Dempsey has a conflict of interest on the topics of White House and Rep. Andy Biggs as he is affiliated with both.

                          72%

                          • Unique Points
                            • The US carried out airstrikes in Iraq targeting facilities used by Iranian-backed militias on Tuesday following repeated attacks on US forces.
                            • Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced the strikes were in direct response to a series of escalatory attacks against US and coalition personnel in Iraq and Syria by Iranian-backed militia groups.
                            • The strikes targeted three facilities used by Kataib Hezbollah, including Al-Qa'im near the Syrian border, as well as Jurf al-Sakhar south of Baghdad.
                            • At least one Kataib Hezbollah fighter was killed and two were injured following the US airstrikes.
                            • The attacks in Iraq are the first since beginning of month when US targeted member Iranian proxy group operating in country who one official said had 'US blood on his hands'.
                            • Multiple strikes against Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen over last week and a half as US looks to rein in aggressive actions of Iranian-backed groups in Middle East amid heightened tensions.
                            • Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani told Reuters that there should be a 'quick' time frame for US-led coalition exit from country. The US has maintained it is in Iraq at invitation of its government as part ongoing mission to defeat ISIS.
                            • The attacks in Iraq and Syria have been ongoing, the US has also been managing regular attacks by Houthis on commercial shipping in Yemen.
                          • Accuracy
                            No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
                          • Deception (50%)
                            The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, it states that the US carried out airstrikes targeting facilities used by Iranian-backed militias in Iraq on Tuesday following repeated attacks on US forces. However, this statement is misleading because the strikes were not solely targeted at these facilities but also included other Tehran-affiliated groups in Iraq. Secondly, the article quotes Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin stating that the strikes are a direct response to a series of escalatory attacks against US and coalition personnel in Iraq and Syria by Iranian-backed militia groups. However, this statement is not entirely accurate because while some of these attacks were carried out by Kataib Hezbollah, others were committed by other Tehran-affiliated groups. Thirdly, the article quotes Austin stating that US forces will continue to take necessary action to defend their people and interests in Iraq and Syria. However, this statement is not entirely accurate because while the strikes on Tuesday are a response to recent attacks against US personnel, they do not address all of the issues facing these countries or provide a comprehensive solution for resolving them.
                            • The article quotes Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin stating that the strikes are a direct response to a series of escalatory attacks against US and coalition personnel in Iraq and Syria by Iranian-backed militia groups. However, this statement is not entirely accurate because while some of these attacks were carried out by Kataib Hezbollah, others were committed by other Tehran-affiliated groups.
                            • The article states that the US carried out airstrikes targeting facilities used by Iranian-backed militias in Iraq on Tuesday following repeated attacks on US forces. However, this statement is misleading because the strikes were not solely targeted at these facilities but also included other Tehran-affiliated groups in Iraq.
                            • The article quotes Austin stating that US forces will continue to take necessary action to defend their people and interests in Iraq and Syria. However, this statement is not entirely accurate because while the strikes on Tuesday are a response to recent attacks against US personnel, they do not address all of the issues facing these countries or provide a comprehensive solution for resolving them.
                          • Fallacies (85%)
                            The article contains several examples of informal fallacies. The author uses inflammatory rhetoric by describing the attacks on US forces as a series of escalatory attacks and stating that Iranian-backed militia groups are responsible for them. This is an example of an appeal to authority, as the author relies on official statements from Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Pentagon spokesman Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder without providing any evidence or context to support their claims.
                            • The strikes were carried out in two sites in western Iraq, including Al-Qa’im near the Syrian border, as well as Jurf al-Sakhar south of Baghdad.
                            • Jafar al-Hussaini,❯the military spokesman for Kataib Hezbollah, wrote on X that the group will ✜continue to strike the strongholds of the enemies, in support of our people in Gaza until the brutal killing machine backed by America stops, and the complete siege is lifted. This is the promise of the free people.❯
                            • The initial assessment is that Kataib Hezbollah was responsible for the ballistic missile attack.
                            • a total of four US troops were diagnosed with traumatic brain injury as a result of the attack, and all had since returned to duty.
                          • Bias (85%)
                            The article is biased towards the US and its actions in Iraq. The author uses language that dehumanizes Iranian-backed militias as 'terrorists' and portrays them as a threat to US interests. Additionally, the article presents only one side of the story by focusing solely on US actions without providing any context or perspective from Iranian or Iraqi perspectives.
                            • Iranian-backed militias in Iraq
                              • Tehran is funding, arming, equipping and training a whole plethora of militia groups across the region
                                • The attacks in Iraq and Syria have been ongoing but the US has also been managing regular attacks by the Houthis in Yemen on commercial shipping
                                • Site Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
                                  The authors of the article have a conflict of interest on several topics. Oren Liebermann has previously reported on US forces in Iraq and Syria under attack, which is one of the topics listed as a potential source for conflicts of interest.
                                  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
                                    The author has a conflict of interest on the topic of US forces in Iraq and Syria under attack as they are part of the same military that is carrying out these strikes. Additionally, there may be conflicts related to heightened tensions in the Middle East.