American forces have carried out a “defensive” air strikeon combatants who were attempting to launch drones that were deemed a threat to US and allied troops.
The strike — which Iraqi sources said left at least four people dead — was the first by American forces in Iraq since February, when the US military said it killed a pro-Iran commander who was involved in attacks on the country’s troops.
The Hashed al-Shaabi — an alliance of pro-Iran former paramilitary groups that have been integrated into Iraq’s security forces — earlier said apparent missile strikes had left four people dead at a base in Babylon, but made no mention of an attempt to launch drones from the ground.
A security source confirmed that four people were killed, adding that the death toll was expected to rise.
