US to act in self-defense against attacks: Pompeo

By Beyza Binnur Donmez

ANKARA (AA) - U.S. will not tolerate attacks and threats to American lives and take actions in self-defense, after a recent attack on Camp Taji military base in Iraq, said State Secretary Mike Pompeo on Monday.

His remarks came during a Sunday phone call between Pompeo and with Iraq’s Prime Minister Adil Abd al-Mahdi, according to a statement by State Department Spokesperson Morgan Ortagus.

Pompeo told al-Mahdi that "the groups responsible for these attacks must be held accountable," adding the U.S. "will not tolerate attacks and threats to American lives and will take additional action as necessary in self-defense."

The top diplomat also reiterated the Iraqi government "must defend" the coalition personnel supporting the Iraqi government’s efforts to defeat Daesh/ISIS.

The Camp Taji, which hosts anti-Daesh coalition and NATO's Iraq Mission personnel, were hit by rockets on Wednesday. The attack left two American troops and one British serviceman dead, while 14 others were injured.

In response, the U.S. conducted strikes against pro-Iranian militia Kata’ib Hezbollah's weapons storage sites in Iraq.