Iraq Latest

While Americans hunker down at home, four soldiers died abroad in service to the nation.

The swift retaliation and why it matters.

Backstory

Sunday: Two Marines killed in action during a raid of an ISIS complex in Northern Iraq.

Wednesday: Two U.S. servicemembers + 1 U.K. soldier died during a rocket attack outside of Baghdad. 14 others injured. The U.S. blamed Iranian-backed militias.

“The United States will not tolerate attacks against our people, our interests, or our allies.”

Sec. of Defense Mark Esper on an airstrike targeting five weapons storage facilities the U.S. says belong to the militia that attacked U.S. and coalition forces Wednesday. Sec. Esper says the same Iranian-backed group is responsible for a series of other attacks.

Important Context

• Despite the U.S. targeting and killing an Iranian military leader after the death of an American contractor in December by an Iranian-backed militia, a similar attack targeted Americans Wednesday.
• Despite the U.S. declaring the “defeat” of ISIS in Iraq and Syria, the group reportedly is attempting to regroup in Northern Iraq.
• Bottom Line: The threats from both ISIS and Iran continue; tensions simmer.

A message from the Defense Dept after the airstrikes Friday morning in Iraq: “These terror groups must cease their attacks on U.S. and coalition forces or face consequences at a time and place of our choosing.” Meanwhile, Iran confronts one of the deadliest outbreaks of COVID-19 on the planet.