Iran-backed militia leader in Baghdad killed in drone attack

According to an official from the United States, a drone strike targeted the leader of an Iranian-backed militia in Baghdad. Three people, including the leader of Kataib Hezbollah, were killed in the attack, as reported by Iraqi security sources. The US holds the Iranian-aligned group responsible for an earlier attack that resulted in the deaths of three American soldiers. Kataib Hezbollah had previously announced a suspension of attacks on US troops. The drone strike took place in the Mashtal neighborhood of eastern Baghdad, causing multiple explosions. A senior US defense official confirmed that the operation was conducted by a drone and that the target was the leader of Kataib Hezbollah. The attack also affected other Iran-supported groups, according to Reuters and AFP. The killed Kataib Hezbollah commander was responsible for operations in Syria, according to a group member. These recent strikes occurred shortly after US airstrikes targeted militia positions in Iraq and Syria in response to a deadly attack on a US base in Jordan last month.