BAGHDAD, Dec 30: The death toll from the drone attacks of the United States against Kata'ib Hezbollah militia in Iraq has climbed to 25, with 51 people injured, media reports said referring to a press release issued by Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces, also known as Hashd al-Shaabi.

The number of casualties may increase, as some remain in critical condition, according to state-owned Russian media Sputnik International.

On Sunday, the US forces carried out strikes targeting five Kata'ib Hezbollah facilities in Syria and Iraq, including weapons storage locations and command and control bases, according to the US Defence Department. The Pentagon said it was retaliation for the group's recent attack on a US base near the northern Iraqi city of Kirkuk.

On Friday, the US accused Kata'ib Hezbollah of involvement in a deadly rocket attack on the K1 military base outside Kirkuk. The attack claimed the life of a US civilian contractor and left several US service members with light injuries. No group took immediate responsibility for Friday's attack.

Kata'ib Hezbollah, not to be confused with the Hezbollah group of Lebanon, is a paramilitary force with Shia ideology established in 2007 and operating under the Hashd al-Shaabi umbrella. Washington designates them as terrorists.

 
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