Iraqi Militias Reportedly Target Air Base Hosting US Troops Again

US military vehicles seen outside the perimeter of the Ain al-Asad airbase In Iraq in January 2020
US military vehicles seen outside the perimeter of the Ain al-Asad airbase In Iraq in January 2020

Fars News Agency affiliated with Iran's Revolutionary Guard has reported another attack on the Ain al-Asad airbase in Iraq hosting US troops, by militia forces.

The unconfirmed attack, carried out using a combination of drones and rockets, seemingly targeted American military personnel stationed at the base, as reported by Iran-affiliated Al Mayadeen news network.

Washington and official Iraqi sources have not reported any attack taking place on Saturday.

Simultaneously, another military base housing US forces near Baghdad's international airport also faced rocket attacks, Al Mayadeen added.

Iran-backed Islamic Resistance of Iraq has claimed responsibility for the attack, according to Fars, emphasizing that it was executed with “precision, hitting its intended targets.”

There were already attacks in recent days against US bases in both Iraq and Syria.

The alleged attack follows earlier warnings from Iraqi militants aligned with Iran against potential US intervention in support of Israel during the conflict with Hamas in Gaza. In the past 48 hours, this marks the fifth attack on Iraqi military bases hosting US forces.

The United States maintains approximately 2,500 troops in Iraq and an additional 900 in Syria. The troops are primarily engaged in advising and assisting local forces in the fight against the Islamic State, which seized significant territory in both countries in 2014.

Ain al-Asad airbase, the target of the attack, is situated in the western Anbar province of Iraq.