Iran-Backed Militia Claims Responsibility for Missile Attack on Airbase in Iraq
An Iranian-backed militia has claimed responsibility for a missile attack on an airbase in Iraq, injuring U.S. personnel. The group, known as the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, has grown in strength over the past decade and has carried out numerous attacks on U.S. and Iraqi bases in recent years. This attack appears to be in retaliation for the ongoing conflict in Gaza, as stated by the group.
The attack took place at the Ein al-Assad airbase, and according to the local mayor who witnessed the incident, a significant number of missiles were fired at the base. While some were intercepted by missile defense systems, others managed to hit their targets. The Pentagon confirmed that there were injuries among U.S. service personnel, but specific details about the number of casualties or their severity have not been disclosed. The airbase is jointly operated by the U.S. and Iraqi military, with at least one Iraqi service member also reported to have been injured in the attack.
This missile attack follows a separate strike in Damascus, where Syrian state television reported the deaths of several Iranian military advisers. Iranian and Syrian news agencies accuse Israel of being responsible for the attack, and Iran has vowed to retaliate against Israel. The Israeli military, however, has chosen not to comment on these reports.
The incident in Damascus targeted five members of the elite Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), including the head of the Quds Force intelligence within Syria. The Quds Force is the top military echelon of the IRGC and is considered to be the elite of the elite. Iranian President's remarks about seeking revenge on Israel, and linking the United States to Israeli actions, indicate a potential escalation in the region.
Both the missile attack on the airbase in Iraq and the strike in Damascus highlight the increasing tensions and potential for escalation between Iran, its proxies, and Israel. The connection between these two events suggests a coordinated response from Iran, using its various proxies to target both U.S. and Israeli interests.
As the situation develops, it remains unclear how this latest round of attacks will affect the already tense relations in the region. The international community will be closely monitoring the situation and urging all parties involved to exercise restraint and seek diplomatic solutions to avoid further escalation and potential destabilization in the region.
