Two paramilitary leaders killed in airstrike in Iraq in retaliation for deaths of US troops

Two high-ranking commanders of a radical Iraqi Shi'ite paramilitary group have been killed in an airstrike in retaliation for a fatal attack on American troops, the United States has announced.

US Central Command (CentCom) said Kata'ib Hezbollah officials Abu Baqir Al-Saadi and Arkan Al-Olayawi died in the strike in the Al-Mashtal area, east of Baghdad.

"There are no indications of collateral damage or civilian casualties at this time," it said.

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It added: "At 9:30pm, 7 February, US Central Command (CentCom) forces conducted a unilateral strike in Iraq in response to the attacks on US service members, killing a Kata'ib Hezbollah commander responsible for directly planning and participating in attacks on US forces in the region.

"The United States will continue to take necessary action to protect our people.

"We will not hesitate to hold responsible all those who threaten our forces' safety."

Videos and pictures have circulated online apparently showing the remains of a vehicle that was struck by the US.

The airstrike was carried out following the recent deaths of three US personnel in drone strikes at a base near Jordan's border with Syria.

US President Joe Biden had vowed to retaliate against any attacks launched on American service personnel, however he stressed that the US does not wish to provoke conflict in the Middle East.