The US does not rule out another offensive to respond to the attack on its troops in Iraq | International

The US Secretary of Defense, Lloyd AustinHe assured this Sunday that the Pentagon “will attack if necessary” to respond to this week’s attack on an Iraqi base where US troops are stationed, although it is not yet clear who is responsible for the attack.

“We will attack, if we think that is what is necessary, at a time and place of our choosing. We demand the right to protect our troops, “Austin said in an interview broadcast by ABC News.

Ten rockets hit the Ain al Asad military base in Iraq’s Al Anbar province (west) on Wednesday, which is home to some 2,000 US servicemen, in an attack that left no victims or injuries, although a US contractor suffered a cardiac arrest during the bombing and died shortly after.

The White House later said it was still investigating who launched the attack, and vowed to avoid any “Hasty or misinformed decision that could escalate tensions” in the region.

In late February, Biden ordered a bombing of pro-Iranian militias in Syria that left at least one dead and two wounded; It did so in retaliation for an attack on another base in Erbil (northern Iraq), which killed a US contractor and injured the US and Iraqi military several times.

Although this week’s attack on this Iraqi second base has left no casualties, Austin stressed that the US government wants to make sure that those who attack them “are held accountable for their actions.” and that “he will do what is necessary to defend himself.”

The Pentagon chief clarified that it is still unclear who launched the attack, and is “encouraging Iraqis to move forward as quickly as possible” in his investigation.

Nevertheless, many in Washington suspect probable Iranian involvement, and Austin did not correct the journalist when asked about the effect that possible retaliation from the Pentagon could have on the relationship with Tehran.

“Iran is fully capable of evaluating what our bombings and activities mean, and they will come to their own conclusions. What they should deduce from this is that we are going to defend our troops, ”Austin concluded.