In the midst of the holiday season, President Joe Biden ordered military strikes in Iraq on Christmas Day. The strikes were in response to an attack by the militant group Kataib Hezbollah, which targeted and injured four individuals, including three American service members, one of whom is in critical condition.
The attack that prompted President Biden's order was carried out by a one-way attack drone or a suicide drone, specifically targeting U.S. forces in Erbil, Iraq, situated in Iraqi Kurdistan. This attack marked a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between the United States and Iranian proxies in the region.
Following the attack, the U.S. Central Command launched strikes on three locations in Iraq, focusing on the drone capabilities of Kataib Hezbollah. The goal was to disable their drone operations, which have been used in numerous attacks against U.S. forces in the past. Central Command believes that the strikes likely resulted in the deaths of several Kataib Hezbollah militants, with no civilian casualties reported.
However, the Iraqi government has expressed concern over the U.S. military actions, labeling them as hostile acts that infringe on Iraq's sovereignty. It is important to note that the U.S. military operates in Iraq with the invitation and approval of the Iraqi government, making the preservation of this relationship crucial.
The U.S. has experienced approximately 100 attacks on its forces in Iraq and Syria, most of which have been attributed to Iranian-backed groups. However, the majority of U.S. responses have targeted these proxies in Syria, making the strikes in Iraq a relatively rare occurrence.
The objective of these limited U.S. military responses is to send a clear message of deterrence, discouraging further attacks. However, recent events indicate that this deterrence strategy may not be effectively deterring Iranian proxies. Experts suggest that more sustained efforts may be required to curtail their activities and prevent future attacks.
As part of the ongoing situation in the region, another conflict worth monitoring is the Red Sea, where Houthis, another Iranian proxy group in Yemen, have carried out strikes on commercial and military vessels. The U.S. Navy intercepted an alarming array of 12 one-way attack drones, three anti-ship ballistic missiles, and two land-attack cruise missiles launched by the Houthis. Fortunately, no injuries or damages were caused as a result of these strikes.
The U.S. government is carefully weighing its options and contemplating proportional responses that would prevent further attacks on American forces while avoiding entanglement in a broader regional conflict. Proportionality is a key factor in determining the appropriate level of response and ensuring that it exceeds the force used in the initial attacks.
The severity of the injuries sustained by American service members in the Erbil attack may have influenced the scale of the U.S. response. While previous attacks primarily resulted in traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), the critically injured service member demonstrated the need for a more significant retaliation.
In addition to the ongoing situation in Iraq, tensions continue to simmer in Ukraine. Recent reports suggest that Ukraine destroyed a Russian vessel during an attack on a port town in Crimea. Although this represents a symbolic victory for Ukraine, the current efforts on the ground remain stagnant. Despite some losses, Ukraine has managed to hold the line and prevent further encroachment from Russian forces. However, the extent of their ability to continue this defense remains uncertain, requiring substantial support from Western allies.
As the holiday season carries on, these incidents serve as a reminder of the ongoing conflicts and instability in the Middle East and Eastern Europe. The United States continues to navigate a delicate balance between deterrence and avoiding broader regional entanglements while seeking to protect its forces and interests abroad.
