US Drone Strike Kills Five Iran-Backed Militia in Iraq

The strike comes in response to an imminent attack, amid escalating tensions with Iran-backed groups in the region.

US forces killed five Iran-backed militia members in a drone strike in Kirkuk, Iraq, in response to an identified imminent attack.
The number of attacks by Iran-backed proxy groups on US and coalition forces in Iraq and Syria has risen to 76 since October 17.
The US has responded to these near-daily attacks by launching strikes in eastern Syria and Iraq, targeting weapons depots and storage facilities used by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and its proxy militia groups.
The US has built up its military presence in the region, sending two Carrier Strike Groups, an Amphibious Readiness Group and Marine Expeditionary Unit, and additional ground troops and air defense systems.
Iran-backed groups have continued their drone and rocket attacks in Iraq and Syria and launched at least one ballistic missile attack.