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| US attacks Iran-backed militia bases in Iraq and Syria | US attacks Iran-backed militia bases in Iraq and Syria |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| The US has conducted air strikes against Iranian-backed paramilitaries in Iraq and Syria following the death of a US contractor. | The US has conducted air strikes against Iranian-backed paramilitaries in Iraq and Syria following the death of a US contractor. |
| Iraqi security sources said at least 25 fighters of the Kataib Hezbollah group were killed and more than 50 wounded in Sunday's strikes. | Iraqi security sources said at least 25 fighters of the Kataib Hezbollah group were killed and more than 50 wounded in Sunday's strikes. |
| The group is considered a terrorist organisation by the US. | The group is considered a terrorist organisation by the US. |
| A rocket attack on a base in Kirkuk on Friday killed a US contractor and wounded other personnel. | A rocket attack on a base in Kirkuk on Friday killed a US contractor and wounded other personnel. |
| Speaking in Washington DC on Sunday, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo warned Iran that the US would retaliate if American lives were threatened. | |
| "Today what we did was take a decisive response that makes clear what President Trump has said for months - which is that we will not stand for the Islamic Republic of Iran taking actions that put American men and women in jeopardy," he said. | "Today what we did was take a decisive response that makes clear what President Trump has said for months - which is that we will not stand for the Islamic Republic of Iran taking actions that put American men and women in jeopardy," he said. |
| US Defence Secretary Mark Esper told reporters that F-15 jet fighters had hit five targets associated with Kataib Hezbollah. The Pentagon said three were in western Iraq and two in eastern Syria. | US Defence Secretary Mark Esper told reporters that F-15 jet fighters had hit five targets associated with Kataib Hezbollah. The Pentagon said three were in western Iraq and two in eastern Syria. |
| The targets were either weapons' storage facilities or command and control centres, Mr Esper added. | The targets were either weapons' storage facilities or command and control centres, Mr Esper added. |
| Iraqi sources said one of the strikes had hit the militia group's headquarters in the western Al-Qaim district and at least four commanders were among the dead. | Iraqi sources said one of the strikes had hit the militia group's headquarters in the western Al-Qaim district and at least four commanders were among the dead. |
| Who are Kataib Hezbollah? | Who are Kataib Hezbollah? |
| Kataib Hezbollah - a Shia Muslim militia group that is backed by Iran - was founded in 2007. | Kataib Hezbollah - a Shia Muslim militia group that is backed by Iran - was founded in 2007. |
| The US says Kataib Hezbollah has a strong link with Iran's Quds Force and has repeatedly received aid and support from Iran that it has used to attack coalition forces. | The US says Kataib Hezbollah has a strong link with Iran's Quds Force and has repeatedly received aid and support from Iran that it has used to attack coalition forces. |
| The Trump administration has alleged that the Quds Force is "Iran's primary mechanism for cultivating and supporting" US-designated terrorist groups across the Middle East - including Lebanon's Hezbollah movement and Palestinian Islamic Jihad - by providing funding, training, weapons and equipment. | The Trump administration has alleged that the Quds Force is "Iran's primary mechanism for cultivating and supporting" US-designated terrorist groups across the Middle East - including Lebanon's Hezbollah movement and Palestinian Islamic Jihad - by providing funding, training, weapons and equipment. |
| What is Iran suspected of doing in Iraq? | What is Iran suspected of doing in Iraq? |
| Iran's influence over Iraq's internal affairs has grown steadily since the US-led invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein in 2003. | Iran's influence over Iraq's internal affairs has grown steadily since the US-led invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein in 2003. |
| It has close links to Shia politicians who are part of the ruling elite, and has backed the paramilitary Popular Mobilisation force, which is dominated by Shia militias. | It has close links to Shia politicians who are part of the ruling elite, and has backed the paramilitary Popular Mobilisation force, which is dominated by Shia militias. |
| Protesters in Iraq have accused Iran of complicity in Iraq's failure and corruption. They have set fire to a number of Iranian consulate buildings in the country during the recent wave of protests. | Protesters in Iraq have accused Iran of complicity in Iraq's failure and corruption. They have set fire to a number of Iranian consulate buildings in the country during the recent wave of protests. |
| Earlier this month, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo blamed Iranian-backed forces for a series of attacks in Iraq. | Earlier this month, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo blamed Iranian-backed forces for a series of attacks in Iraq. |
| He warned Iran that any attacks by the country or its proxies that harmed the US or allies would be "answered with a decisive US response". | He warned Iran that any attacks by the country or its proxies that harmed the US or allies would be "answered with a decisive US response". |