Iran-Backed Militia Launch Fresh Attacks On US Targets In Iraq

Military vehicles of US soldiers are seen at the al-Asad air base, Iraq, January 13, 2020.
Military vehicles of US soldiers are seen at the al-Asad air base, Iraq, January 13, 2020.

Iranian proxy militias targeted al-Harir and al-Assad air bases hosting US forces in northern Iraq on Friday, adding to their tally of nearly 60 such attacks since October 7.

A statement from the Islamic Resistance of Iraq said the strikes were in response “to the attacks perpetrated by the enemy against our people in Gaza.”

Tehran-backed militia groups have continued to attack US targets in the region while the Islamic Republic itself refrains from any direct involvement in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Gaza.

Hamas started the ongoing war with a terror attack on Israel on October 7, killing more than 1,200, mostly civilians, and taking more than 240 people hostage.

Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh stated on Thursday that 58 attacks have been conducted on US bases in Iraq and Syria since October 17.

On Thursday, the commander of Iran's Quds force Esmail Qaani echoed the support of Iranian’s regime’s top officials for the “Axis of Resistance” by saying they “will undertake all necessary measures during this historic battle”.

"The Resistance Axis" is a coalition of Iran-backed armed groups in the Middle East, controlled by the Quds Force, an arm of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

As part of its efforts to control the conflict, the United States has asked China to use its influence to prevent Iran from getting directly involved.

However, the current US administration is facing criticism for what skeptics call a "soft stance" on Iran, notably referring to Joe Biden's recent move enabling the release of billions of dollars to Iran by waiving sanctions for four months allowing Iraq to transfer money that it owes Tehran abroad.