U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced American forces killed a Houthi drone technology expert and a Lebanese Hezbollah operative in an April 2024 military operation in Iraq. CENTCOM Commander General Michael Kurilla revealed the strike during a House Armed Services Committee briefing.

Kurilla stated the two individuals were providing support and training to "Kata'ib Hezbollah" factions in Iraq. He noted that despite U.S. and Israeli strikes, the internationally designated Houthi group still launches drone attacks on Israel and threatens Red Sea shipping.

While praising Israel's "ingenious" operation against Lebanese Hezbollah, which he said should be a military case study, Kurilla acknowledged that the U.S. and Israel have not achieved similar success against the Houthis. He highlighted a key challenge: roughly 80% of Houthi supplies come from Iranian smuggling vessels hidden within the region's vast irregular shipping network. Tracking these supplies is difficult, with 3,000 to 5,000 dhows (traditional sailing vessels) operating between Iran and Bab al-Mandeb at any given time.

Kurilla also stressed that Iranian-linked armed factions continue to undermine Iraqi security forces, serving Tehran's interests over Iraq's sovereignty and stability. He reiterated that Iraqi military leaders value their partnership with the U.S., as Iraq's stability contributes to broader Middle East security. Iran's efforts to maintain influence in Iraq are escalating, but Kurilla emphasized that Iraq is a sovereign nation whose people do not wish to be subservient to Tehran.