DRONES TARGET US TROOPS STATIONED AT AIN AL-ASAD AIRBASE

On Tuesday, US troops stationed at Ain al-Asad airbase were met with an attack by two armed drones, just following a previous rocket attack last Monday.

The Ain al-Asad airbase is stationed in Western Iraq. This is one of the 27 attacks that U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria have faced in the region since the eruption of the Israel-Hamas war.

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What Happened in al-Asad, Iraq?

The airbase in Iraq was first targeted with four Katyusha rockets.

Then, on Tuesday, two armed drones targeted the al-Asad airbase where U.S. forces function, as well as other international forces station themselves. The attack on Tuesday had no casualties or damage.

Additionally, according to VOA news, at least seven of the 27 attacks were launched after U.S. forces targeted stations used by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

U.S. Base Under Attack in Syria

Furthermore, a series of rockets were deployed to attack forces in eastern Syria at the Green Village base and Mission Support Site Euphrates.

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Iran Attacks

The attack on Monday was claimed by the group Islamic Resistance in Iraq. The following attack on Tuesday was supported by the militia.

The surge of the Iran-supporting groups has notably increased following the U.S. airstrike in 2020 in Baghdad that killed senior Iranian General Qassem Soleimani.

Subsequently, the factions have resorted to rocket attacks to U.S. bases in the region, such as the al-Asad base.

Restart of Attacks

The attacks initially halted after the election of Prime Minister Sudani. However, the calls for expulsion of US troops were quickly resumed with the Israeli bombardment of Gaza.

The leader of the Political and Military Badr Organization, Iraqi politician Hadi Al-Amiri, strongly encouraged the government to take whatever measures necessary to expel international coalitions in Iraq.

This statement is followed by the Iraq’s Shi’ite cleric Muqtada al-Sadron request to the Iraqi government to close the U.S. embassy in Baghdad due to the support of Israel.

High Tensions

There are increased tensions since cases of bombing. Iran-backed groups have notably expressed their desire to avenge.

Since October 7th, Pentagon Press secretary Brigadier General Pat Ryder said U.S. forces in Syria and Iraq have been under attack by rockets or drones at least 27 times.

The airbase in Iraq has become a target due to the threats forged by the Iraqi military alignment with Iran, who have warned of consequences if the U.S. intervenes in the war and supports Israel.

Heightened Security

In light of the attacks, 1,200 troops are deployed, or in the process of deployment, to exercise increased caution.

The units consists of Terminal High Altitude Area Defense and equipment/weapons from Fort Bliss, Fort Still, and Fort Liberty.

Earlier this month, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin issued an order to prepare to deploy over 2,000 military personnel.

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