Illustrative image.
Late on January 5, Iraqi air defenses shot down an unidentified drone that approached Ayn al-Assad Air Base in the western province of al-Anbar.
In a statement, the Iraqi Security Media Cell said that the drone was shot down in the outskirts of the air base without providing any further details. No losses were reported.
The Sabereen News channel on Telegram claimed that the drone was a part of a “swarm” that attacked US-led coalition positions in Ayn al-Assad. Hundreds of American troops are still present in the air base, supposedly to train Iraqi government forces.
Just a few hours earlier, a rocket attack targeted Ain al-Assad Air Base. The pro-Iranian Saryat Qasim al-Jabbarin [The Breaker of Titans Company] claimed responsibility for the attack, which didn’t result in any losses.
Moreover, an Iranian-made heavy rocket struck the US Camp Victory military base near Baghdad International Airport in the morning.
The recent attacks were most likely carried out by pro-Iranian forces in Iraq 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 around two years ago.
The US-led coalition may attempt to respond to the recent attacks on its positions in Iraq in the upcoming few hours. Iranian-backed forces will not likely tolerate such a move.
HI