U.S. Army AH-64 Apache helicopters from 1st Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment, 34th Combat Aviation Brigade, launch flares as they conduct overflights of the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq December 31, 2019. U.S. Army/Spc. Khalil Jenkins/CJTF-OIR Public Affairs/Handout via REUTERS.
Early on May 24, Iraqi air defenses shot down an unidentified drone over the western outskirts of the Iraqi capital, Baghdad.
In a statement, the Iraqi Security Media Cell said that the drone was heading towards Martyr Muhammad Alaa Air Base in Baghdad International Airport. However, the Sabereen News channel on Telegram and other Iraqi sources said that the drone was actually on its way to target a US base located near the airport, known as Camp Victory.
The Security Media Cell shared photos showing the wreckage of the downed drone which appeared to be identical to the Murad-5 suicide drone that was used in previous attacks by pro-Iranian Iraqi factions on Camp Victory and the Kurdistan Region.
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The US-led coalition condemned the drone attack, accusing the perpetrators of showing “total disregard” for the lives of the Iraqi citizens and innocent air travelers in Baghdad International Airport.
In the first week of January, Pro-Iranian factions attacked Camp Victory with drones and rockets at least twice to honor the memory of Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, Deputy-Commander of the Popular Mobilization Units, and Iran’s Quds Force Commander Maj. Gen. Qassim Soleimani who were assassinated by the US more than two years ago.
Later on in the the month, a rocket attack targeted Baghdad International Airport, damaging an out-of-service Airbus A300B4 airliner of Iraqi Airways. Back then, pro-Iranian factions denied responsibility for the attack.
The available information suggest that Iranian-backed factions were behind the new drone attack and that the target was Camp Victory. The attack was likely meant to pressure the US, which is still planning to keep its forces in Iraq for the long term.
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