According to reports from CNN and Reuters on the 21st, US officials stated that the US military conducted two rounds of airstrikes on Iraqi militia. Reuters reported that after dozens of recent attacks on US troops stationed in the Middle East, this is the first time the United States has publicly reported its military response in Iraq.

The US Central Command stated in a statement that these airstrikes were carried out on the evening of November 21 and targeted two facilities within Iraq. "This is a direct response to the attacks launched by Iran and organizations supported by Iran against the United States and coalition forces, including the November 21 attack using short-range ballistic missiles in Iraq," the statement said.

A US defense official, who declined to be named, told Reuters that US fighter jets destroyed an operation center and a command and control site of the Iraqi civilian armed group Hezbollah in an airstrike, located in Anbar Province south of Baghdad and the Youlfsaqr region, respectively. The official also stated that there were members of the "Allah Brigade" near the target at the time, and the US is currently evaluating the casualties.

The official stated that approximately 24 hours before the US military launched these airstrikes, a US Air Force base west of Baghdad was attacked, and a US AC-130 aircraft fired back, killing multiple armed personnel. Two other US officials stated that Assad Air Force Base was attacked by a short-range ballistic missile, causing 8 injuries and minor damage to infrastructure.

CNN quoted Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh as saying that the attack by armed personnel on US military targets on the 21st resulted in "several injuries and minor damage to infrastructure.". Singh also stated that this is the first time since October 17th that the US military and coalition forces in Iraq have been attacked by ballistic missiles. Agence France Presse quoted Singh as saying that the US AC-130 aircraft hit a "militia vehicle" while firing, resulting in several "enemy personnel deaths.".

CNN reported that earlier on the 20th, prior to the missile attack, a US official stated that US troops stationed at Assad Air Force Base were also attacked by drones, but there were no casualties or infrastructure damage.

Reuters reported that since October 17th, US troops stationed in Iraq and Syria have been attacked a total of 66 times, causing at least 62 US personnel to suffer minor injuries or traumatic brain injuries. The US has previously responded by launching three rounds of airstrikes on targets within Syria.

Iraqi militia groups say these attacks are related to US support for Israel's bombing of the Gaza Strip. A social media account related to Iraqi militias has released a statement under the name "Iraqi Islamic Resistance Organization", mourning a member who died in battle with the US military on the 21st, but did not provide a detailed explanation.