This marks the beginning of what appears to be a series of more substantial strikes against Iranian-backed militias, who have been implicated in attacks on US troops in the region.
The spokesman for the commander-in-chief of the Iraqi armed forces said these strikes come at a time when Iraq is “striving to ensure stability in the region"
The United States has initiated airstrikes targeting militia positions in both Iraq and Syria, CNN reported.
CENTCOM said that several US personnel are undergoing evaluation for "traumatic brain injuries" and at least one Iraqi service member was wounded in the attack.
Two airbases housing the US-led coalition forces in Iraq's semi-autonomous Kurdistan region and western Iraq were attacked by drones.
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei swiftly pledged to take "severe revenge" for Soleimani's assassination.
“We have therefore been left with no choice, given Iran’s actions, but to register today our concerns that Iran is not meeting its commitments,” the three countries said in a joint statement.
Internationally, the US was alone in this incident, with none of its European allies backing it.
Iran fired over a dozen missiles on two American military bases in Iraq on Wednesday in response to a US drone strike that killed Quds Force commander General Qasem Soleimani outside Baghdad's international airport.
Talking to reporters on the sidelines of a function, Iranian Ambassador to India Ali Chegeni said, "India is a part of the region...it should be a part of de-escalation."
