(VOVWORLD) -Baghdad on Wednesday protested US airstrikes targeting military positions in Iraq, calling it a violation of Iraq’s territorial sovereignty.
 Illustrative image (Photo: IRNA/VNA) |
The Iraqi Prime Minister's Office said the US attacks escalated tensions, violated Iraq's sovereignty, and undermined many years of cooperation between Baghdad and Washington.
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced Tuesday that US forces had carried out "necessary" attacks against three facilities of the armed group Ketaeb Hezbollah and other groups in Iraq, just days after US soldiers stationed in western Iraq were attacked by missiles and rockets.
Austin said the US has no intention of escalating conflict in the region, but is prepared to take additional measures to protect its people and facilities.
The US and allied forces in Iraq and Syria have been targeted in more than 150 attacks. The US currently has about 2,500 troops in Iraq and 900 troops in Syria as part of efforts to prevent IS terrorists from re-establishing a foothold.