Escalation: Pentagon Claims US Forces Killed Iranian Commander In Iraq Responsible For Deadly Drone Strikes

The following report is a press release from the Department of Defense (DoD):

Last night, U.S. Central Command [(CENTCOM)] announced it had conducted a strike in Iraq that killed a Kataib Hezbollah commander responsible for directly planning and participating in attacks on U.S. forces in the region, said Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder.

“There are no indications of collateral damage or civilian casualties at this time,” said Ryder during a briefing today. “Additionally, initial assessments indicate that there were no additional militants injured or killed beyond the one Kataib Hezbollah commander who was targeted.”

Ryder said the department is confident in the process used to identify the individual and to hold him accountable.

Additionally, CENTCOM said in a statement:

“At 9:30 p.m. (Baghdad time) February 7, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces conducted a unilateral strike in Iraq in response to the attacks on U.S. service members, killing a Kata’ib Hezbollah commander responsible for directly planning and participating in attacks on U.S. forces in the region…