The U.S. launched five airstrikes targeting Iran-backed militias in Iraq and Syria, the Trump administration announced Sunday.

The U.S. launched F-15 Strike Eagles against five targets associated with Kata’ib Hezbollah, an Iranian-sponsored Shiite militia group, Defense Secretary Mark Esper Mark EsperOvernight Defense: Stopgap spending measure awaits Senate vote | Trump nominates former Nunes aide for intelligence community watchdog | Trump extends ban on racial discrimination training to contractors, military Overnight Defense: Pentagon redirects pandemic funding to defense contractors | US planning for full Afghanistan withdrawal by May | Anti-Trump GOP group puts ads in military papers Official: Pentagon has started 'prudent planning' for full Afghanistan withdrawal by May MORE told reporters Sunday at a briefing from Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort.

“The strikes were successful,” Esper said. “The pilots and aircraft returned back to base safely.”

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The targets included three in western Iraq and two in eastern Syria that were either command and control facilities or weapons caches for the Iranian-backed militia group, Esper said.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo Michael (Mike) Richard PompeoWatchdog confirms State Dept. canceled award for journalist who criticized Trump Trump's push for win with Sudan amps up pressure on Congress Putin nominated for Nobel Peace Prize MORE, who was with Esper in Florida to brief President Trump Donald John TrumpBiden says voters should choose who nominates Supreme Court justice Trump, Biden will not shake hands at first debate due to COVID-19 Pelosi: Trump Supreme Court pick 'threatens' Affordable Care Act MORE, called the airstrikes a “decisive response” to what he said were threats against American forces that have "been going on now for weeks and weeks and weeks.”

“This wasn’t the first set of attacks against this particular Iraqi facility and others where there were American lives at risk,” Pompeo said.

An American contractor, several U.S. service members and Iraqi personnel were injured Friday in a rocket attack in northern Iraq.

Esper said he discussed other available options with Trump and said the U.S. “will take additional actions as necessary” to act in self-defense.



The U.S. airstrikes killed at least 25 people, CNN reported, citing a statement from Popular Mobilization Units, a Tehran-backed Shiiite militia also known as Hashd al-Shaabi.

The strikes occurred at about 11 a.m. on Sunday, a source familiar with the matter told CNN.