An Iraqi-led assault to eliminate a militia force in Diwaniyah in southern Iraq entered its third day on April 8 and was achieving “great success,” according to Maj. Gen. Oothman Faroud, whose 8th Iraqi Army Division is leading Operation Black Eagle. The day before, Iraqi soldiers directed—for the first time—coalition fighter aircraft, in this case a USAF F-16, to conduct a strike against militia firing rocket-propelled grenades, reports Voice of America. The Viper destroyed the target.
The U.S. military launched “self-defense” strikes against Iran on June 9 in response to the downing of a U.S. Army AH-64 Apache attack helicopter, which President Donald Trump said was shot down by Iran.