American forces carried out an air strike on "combatants" south of Baghdad on Tuesday who were attempting to launch drones that threatened US and allied troops, a defense official said.

"Tonight, US forces in Iraq conducted a defensive air strike in the Musayyib in Babil Province, targeting combatants attempting to launch one-way attack uncrewed aerial systems," the US official said on condition of anonymity, adding that the Central Command assessed the drones "posed a threat to US and coalition forces."