US carries out airstrikes against militants in Iraq following morning attack on Erbil Air Base

U.S. military forces carried out multiple airstrikes on facilities in Iraq used by Kataib Hezbollah — an Iraqi paramilitary group also known as the Hezbollah Brigades — and its affiliates on Christmas night, according to statements released by the Department of Defense.

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said the strikes were carried out at the direction of President Joe Biden and in response to attacks carried out by the groups against coalition forces in the region. One of those attacks was on Erbil Air Base earlier on Dec. 25, which resulted in injuries to three U.S. personnel. One service member was left in critical condition as a result of the air base attack, according to a statement from the Defense secretary.

“My prayers are with the brave Americans who were injured,” Austin said in his statement.

Read more: ABC News