On Thursday evening, four rockets were launched towards the Ain al-Asad airbase in Iraq, a key installation housing U.S.-led coalition forces. According to multiple security sources, the rockets landed near the base, with two striking inside and two hitting the perimeter. U.S. officials confirmed there were no injuries or damage reported from the attack.
The Ain al-Asad airbase, located in Iraq’s Anbar province, has been a frequent target of attacks over the years, particularly by groups opposed to the U.S. military presence in the region. The latest strike comes amidst heightened regional tensions and ongoing discussions between U.S. and Iraqi officials regarding the future of the coalition’s mission against ISIS in Iraq.
In addition to the attack on Ain al-Asad, other bases hosting U.S. troops in Iraq and Syria also came under fire. In eastern Syria, a rocket landed near a coalition base at the Conoco gas field in Deir Ezzor province. The attack did not result in any casualties or significant damage.
The Islamic Resistance of Iraq, an umbrella group of Iran-backed militias, has claimed responsibility for numerous attacks on U.S. forces in the region, particularly since the beginning of the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza. These militias have called for the withdrawal of the remaining 2,500 U.S. troops in Iraq, a demand that has been echoed by Iran-aligned Iraqi political factions.
Thursday’s attack occurred just days after U.S. and Iraqi officials met at the Pentagon to discuss transitioning the anti-ISIS coalition to a bilateral security relationship. This transition would involve a reduced presence of U.S. troops, focusing on training and advisory roles rather than direct combat operations.
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