US launches air strikes in Iraq after an Iran-backed militia attacks a base there, killing three soldiers.

Secretary of Defense Mark Esper. Reuters. 

The United States has launched several airstrikes after an Iranian backed militia killed two US soldiers and one UK solider. Reuters. The strikes were limited and were targeting Kataib Hezbollah's weapon caches. It is unclear what the effect of the strikes were. The attack that killed the soldiers was launched using 107mm Katyusha against the Taji military camp north of Baghdad. 30 rockets were fired and 18 hit the base. Though the attack has increased tensions, it is unlikely that the United States will target any leadership like they did when they killed General Soleimani.

My Comment:

An important story that is getting drowned out by the almost ubiquitous Coronavirus news coverage. This attack killed two of our soldiers and wounded several more. Plus a few foreign service members were hurt as well killing a UK soldier. This was a major attack and one that drew a response. 

This Hezbollah group is allied with Iran and I am guessing they probably had, at the very least, knowledge of this attack. Iran has long tried to kill our troops in Iraq but until recently they haven't been paying a price for it. These airstrikes will likely damage their ability to make further attacks and may have even killed some of their troops. 

I think Iran did this because they wanted more revenge for the death of General Soleimani. The attack occurred on what would have been his birthday and I never thought they were entirely satisfied with their missile strike. They wanted more revenge but they knew that they risked a war if they did so, so they waited until things calmed down.  

That being said, this was a dumb move by Iran. With the Coronavirus ravaging their country and killing some of their politicians the last thing they need is further conflict with the United States. What they really need is sanctions relief but this strike too will make that goal less likely. This attack was incredibly counterproductive. 

But I also think that there won't be much more in the way of a response. The United States also has a huge problem on their plate with the Coronavirus outbreak and the economic damage it is doing. The last thing we need as well is more tensions with Iran. Which may have been a reason why Iran did this, they know the country and President Trump specifically is in a tough situation right now. 

Still, I think a proportional response was the correct move here. Blowing up these arms depots will send a message and make further attacks more difficult. It is also possible that we even killed some of the people responsible for it. Such a response is a lot better than a major war with Iran, which probably won't come anytime soon.