position in ending the existence of the international coalition. after the justification for existence have ended? the u.s. has 2500 troops in iraq. they were sent there in 2014 to protect the iraqi government as isis was closing in on baghdad. isis still maintains a presence in the region. that s exactly why u.s. forces are in iraq and syria. isis claimed responsibility for the twin suicide bombing in iran that killed nearly 100 mourners heading to the grave this week. the latest signals intelligence suggests an isis off chute in afghanistan carried out the attack. they blamed the u.s. our enemies can see iran s power. our force also decide on the place and time to take action. meanwhile in the red sea, iranian backed houthi forces were given a final warning to stop attacks on international shipping in response the houthis launched an unman sea drone full
of the national security team on new year s day to decide how to respond to the houthis. the strike on baghdad is designed to send a message to iran and proxies and so far they have not been listening. john: as that transpires, in gaza, the idf pummels the southern part of the strip. large explosions along the outskirts of khan younis, where top hamas officials are presumed to be hiding. trey yingst is in southern israel for us. trey: we have returned from the gaza border, watching as israeli fighter jets hit hamas positions on the outskirts of khan younis, shaking the ground as they tried to hit the tunnel system underneath the gaza second largest city. the israelis released new information about what they are finding amid this operation. they say they have destroyed new tunnel shafts and also targeted
john: official tells fox the united states is responsible for a drone strike in baghdad that killed a top iraqi militia leader earlier today, believed to be behind multiple attacks on u.s. bases in the middle east. sandra: just a few things going on as we kick off a brand-new hour. sandra smith in new york. john, good to be with you. john: good to be with you as well. another busy thursday. this is america reports, hour two, as all of this trans spires, houthi rebels given the last warning, stop the attacks or else. the message coming from a u.s.-led coalition of more than a dozen countries as the iranian-backed group continues to attack commercial ships in the red sea. sandra: fox team coverage kicks off now, trey yingst has the latest on the ground for us. but right to jennifer griffin. live at the pentagon. what weapons carried out the strike on baghdad? sandra, u.s. officials say this was a precision drone strike on a vehicle carrying a
kilometer away. important to note of course this explosion took place in a time when many pilgrims would have been passing through check points heading towards that burial site. today marks the fourth year anniversary since qassem soleimani was killed in a u.s. strike on baghdad, international airport, ordered at the time by then president donald trump. of course, that was a moment which really sparked escalating tensions between iran and the united states, but of course there is mounting concern over the situation and the potential for that death toll to continue to rise. we will be monitoring those updates. we ve seen video emerger already, dramatic video, showing crowds running away from the location following those explosions. we are of course today expecting to hear from the secretary general of hezbollah, he was scheduled to speak on the anniversary of qassem soleimani s killing and of course there will be a huge amount of concern around the situation facing civilians in iran, th
defend its people, and grave danger. sandra: 20 years ago, the launch of iraqi freedom. few could predict the war s profound and lasting impact on the nation when it began in 2003. what the president promised would be shock and awe. bombs and missiles raining down on baghdad, opening one of the deadliest military engagements of the 21st century. the government collapsed in 26 days, but the war did not end until 2011. u.s. troops were joined, and two years later cia reported stockpiles of nuclear, chemical or biological weapons were never found. in all, the war cost the united