Rocket Attack on U.S. Base in Iraq Injures Troops
A recent rocket attack on Ain al Asad Air Base, located in Iraq’s western desert, has resulted in injuries to several American personnel stationed there, according to U.S. defense officials. This incident marks a continuation of ongoing hostilities as the base has been a frequent target of Iran-backed Iraqi armed groups, especially since the onset of Israel’s conflict with Hamas in Gaza in October.
Reports indicate that at least two rockets struck within the confines of the base, as confirmed by a U.S. official and corroborated by Iraqi witnesses in the vicinity of the attack. This assault is part of a troubling trend, with Ain al Asad having faced multiple rocket strikes over the past fortnight.
The timing of this attack is particularly concerning, given the heightened tensions across the region. Israel, alongside its American, European, and regional allies, is on high alert for potential retaliatory measures from Iran. This unease follows the recent assassinations of significant figures, including Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran and Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr in the southern suburbs of Beirut. While Israel has taken responsibility for targeting Mr. Shukr, it has remained silent regarding the operation in Iran. Conversely, Iranian officials, along with Hamas, have accused Israel of orchestrating the killing of Mr. Haniyeh.
The Iranian government has warned that any retaliatory action it undertakes will likely involve its various proxy forces, which include Hezbollah, Houthi militants in Yemen, and armed groups operating in Iraq. The region is currently bracing for a potential widespread conflict, reminiscent of Iran’s attack on Israel in April, which was a direct response to the killing of several senior leaders of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Corps in Damascus, Syria.
It remains uncertain whether the rocket attack on Ain al Asad Air Base was a direct response to these events or simply a continuation of the Iran-backed groups’ ongoing efforts to target U.S. forces in Iraq. Currently, there are approximately 2,500 American troops in Iraq, alongside 900 additional personnel in Syria, who are actively engaged in the fight against the remnants of the Islamic State.
