Defense & National Security |
Defense & National Security |
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Iraqi officials accuse US of escalating tensions after Baghdad strike |
The airstrike killed Mushtaq Taleb al-Said, the leader of Iran-backed militia group Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba (HHN). |
The U.S. airstrike hit near a military headquarters in Baghdad, according to Iraqi officials, killing al-Said and one other official in the nation's capital. Iraqi government officials slammed the U.S. for escalating tensions in their country. "We consider this targeting a dangerous escalation and assault on Iraq," said Iraqi commander-in-chief spokesperson Yahya Rasoul. Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said the U.S. took "appropriate" measures to safeguard security in the region. Ryder added Washington seeks to maintain good ties with Iraq. "This is an important partner to us," he said. "And we'll continue to lean into that relationship." The U.S. has some 2,500 troops in Iraq at the invitation of the Iraqi government to help fight against terrorist groups, including ISIS. But the Iraqi government is also closely aligned with Iranian-backed groups, including HHN, part of a network of militia groups under the Popular Mobilization Forces. Iranian-backed groups have attacked the U.S. more than 100 times in Iraq and Syria since late October, not long after the Israel-Hamas war broke out. Tensions have also broiled in the Red Sea, where the Iranian-backed Houthis have targeted merchant ships and U.S. boats 25 times. Read the full report at TheHill.com. |
Welcome to The Hill's Defense & National Security newsletter, I'm Brad Dress — your guide to the latest developments at the Pentagon, on Capitol Hill and beyond. |
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A U.S. service member's mother and American uncle were extracted from Gaza in a secret operation coordinated by the U.S., Israel, Egypt and others, according to new reporting from The Associated Press. The report, which attributes the information to a U.S. official speaking on the condition of anonymity to confirm the rescue, said the operation is the only known secret extraction of U.S. citizens and their families since the fighting began nearly three months ago ... |
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Russian President Vladimir Putin has made it easier to gain Russian citizenship for foreigners who join his country's military. Putin signed the decree allowing the easier path to Russian citizenship Thursday as the war in Ukraine nears the two-year mark. He previously permitted the speeding up of citizenship for foreigners that sign contracts with the Russian army back in September 2022, when he allowed immigrants that signed … |
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Russia has in recent days fired ballistic missiles into Ukraine that were provided by North Korea, the White House confirmed Thursday, calling it a "concerning escalation" of Pyongyang's support for Moscow. The United States determined North Korea had recently provided Russia with a ballistic missile launcher and several ballistic missiles, John Kirby, a White House spokesperson for national security issues, told reporters. … |
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Proud Boys member who disappeared after Jan. 6 conviction sentenced to 10 years in prison |
A member of the Proud Boys who disappeared after being convicted for his role in the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack was sentenced Thursday to 10 years in prison. Christopher Worrell, 52, was convicted last year of seven counts related to his conduct during the riot, including assaulting Capitol … |
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Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas) criticized Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) for suggesting on Wednesday that border patrol agents do not want the $14 billion … Read more |
| Former President Trump’s attorney Alina Habba on Wednesday said the former president is concerned the U.S. Supreme Court justices may “shy … Read more |
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