Iraqi armed group, Yemen’s Houthis threaten to target US bases as Iran-Israel confrontation widens

By Tarek Chouiref

ISTANBUL (AA) - Iraq’s Kataib Hezbollah group on Saturday threatened to begin attacking US military bases after a strike in Jurf al-Nasr area of Iraq’s Babil province killed two people and injured three others, according to Iraqi authorities.

In a brief statement carried by Iraqi media, the armed group said it would “soon begin attacking US bases in response to their aggression,” without providing further details.

Earlier Saturday, the Iraqi army confirmed that two people were killed and three injured in airstrikes targeting the Jurf al-Nasr area in central Iraq.

In Yemen, the Houthi group also warned of escalation. Nasr al-Din Amer, deputy head of the group’s media authority, said “the coming hours carry more surprises,” amid continued US-Israeli attacks on Iran.

Amer asserted that US military bases in the region were under Iranian strikes and described Tehran’s response as legitimate self-defense.

Israel launched a “preemptive” attack against Iran early Saturday under the name “Lion’s Roar,” declaring a “special and immediate” state of emergency across the country.

US President Donald Trump later said his forces launched “major combat operations” in Iran aimed at “protecting the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime.”

The attacks come as talks between Washington and Tehran over Iran’s nuclear program had been ongoing under Oman’s mediation. A new round of talks in Geneva ended on Thursday.

Last June, the US struck three Iranian nuclear sites during the 12-day Israel-Iran war.