President Trump told top national security advisers that because of the coronavirus pandemic he didn’t think an aggressive response to attacks on U.S. troops in Iraq by Iranian-backed militias was the right move, officials say.
Saturday, the militia group mounted an even bigger attack on Camp Taji, this time attempting to fire 56 rockets at the base. Twenty-five rockets hit the base, but the 31 others never launched. Three U.S. troops were seriously wounded, along with two Iraqi service members.
So far, the U.S. military has not responded. On Tuesday, three days after the attack, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced sanctions on nine entities and three individuals"who have engaged in activity that could enable the Iranian regime's violent behavior," saying their actions"provide revenue to the regime that it may use to fund [activities], such as the recent rocket attacks on Iraqi and Coalition forces located at Camp Taji.
The U.S. military is trying to persuade the Iraqi military to partner up to respond to Kataib Hezbollah inside Iraq, according to four U.S. military and defense officials."We certainly are pushing the Iraqis to go after the perpetrators," a senior defense official said. While the officials concede that Iraq is not likely to engage in kinetic strikes with the Americans against Kataib Hezbollah, they do not rule out a future response to the weekend attack at Camp Taji.
"The U.S. military is still preparing options," an official said, adding,"I don't believe a decision has been made." After the March 11 attack on Camp Taji, Defense Secretary Mark Esper told reporters that Trump had"given me the authority to do what we need to do."
Indonesia Berita Terbaru, Indonesia Berita utama
Similar News:Anda juga dapat membaca berita serupa dengan ini yang kami kumpulkan dari sumber berita lain.
For the COVID-19 Pandemic, Trump Used His Hurricane Maria PlaybookThink magically. Minimize the problem. Supply bad numbers. Attack political enemies. Shade the issue racially. Brag about your accomplishment. Sound familiar?
Baca lebih lajut »
Lana Condor Called Trump Out for His Racist 'Chinese Virus' COVID-19 Rhetoric'You have no idea the ramifications your racist words & actions have on the Asian American community.'
Baca lebih lajut »
Iran president says Iran responded, will respond to assassination of SoleimaniPresident Hassan Rouhani said on Wednesday Iran has responded, and will respond,...
Baca lebih lajut »
Bill de Blasio: COVID-19 is a wartime scenario. President Trump needs to act like it is.Our federal government should immediately nationalize production of the medical supplies Americans need.
Baca lebih lajut »
Why You Shouldn’t Call COVID-19 the 'Chinese Virus' & Why Trump Faces Backlash for Doing It Anyway'Certainly use of this term by him and others even in the last couple of weeks have led to a noticeable incline in hate incidents that we are seeing,' one expert said
Baca lebih lajut »
Iran state TV: Khamenei to pardon 10,000 more prisonersTEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iran’s top leader will pardon 10,000 more prisoners in an apparent effort to combat the coronavirus, state TV reported Thursday. As part of steps to curb the spread of...
Baca lebih lajut »