US forces executed a “defensive” air strike against combatants trying to launch drones threatening American and allied troops, according to a US official.Iraq condemned the air strike as a “heinous crime” with “dangerous” consequences amid ongoing discussions about the US-led coalition’s future in the country.Kataeb Hezbollah, a powerful pro-Iran group and part of the Hashed al-Shaabi alliance, said the US strikes targeted a “group of drone experts who were carrying out new tests”.The group said the drones were meant to support Iraqi forces during Arbaeen, a major Shiite event marking Imam Hussein’s mourning periodIt also said “it would make the appropriate decision after consulting” with other groups, and urged the Iraqi govt to “end the occupation” referring to the presence of US forces.
