Topline
A military base in western Iraq that hosts U.S.-led coalition forces was struck by at least 10 rockets on Wednesday morning just a week after President Joe Biden ordered strikes against Iran-backed militants along the Iraq-Syria border.
The Ain al-Asad air base had been targeted last year after a U.S. strike killed Iranian general ... [+]
Key Facts
The rockets struck Ain al-Asad airbase in Iraq’s Anbar province on Wednesday morning, the Associated Press reported.
The attack did not cause any significant losses and no casualties were reported.
An unnamed Baghdad Operations Command official told Reuters some 13 rockets were launched from a location about 8 km from the airbase.
The targeted airbase is the same one that was hit by missiles in January last year after a U.S. airstrike killed Iranian General Qasim Soleimani.
Tangent
Pope Francis is scheduled to visit Iraq from March 5-8. According to Reuters, the trip will take place despite the deteriorating security situation in the country and will include visits to Baghdad, southern Iraq and the northern city of Erbil.
Key Background
Last week, the Pentagon conducted airstrikes against Iran-affiliated militias along the Iraq-Syria border in what was the first known military action ordered by President Joe Biden. Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby said the strikes were a “proportionate” response against several rocket attacks on American facilities in the Iraqi cities of Baghdad and Erbil last month. The Trump administration had significantly drawn down the U.S. troop presence in Iraq and most forces have consolidated chiefly in Ain al-Asad and Baghdad. Militia groups backed by Iran’s paramilitary Quds Force have been repeatedly accused of attacking U.S. military targets in Iraq in recent years.
What To Watch For
Last week’s airstrikes against the militias were meant to deter future attacks against U.S. targets without seriously escalating tensions in Iraq and Syria, the Pentagon said last week. The fresh attack may now prompt more retaliatory strikes by U.S. forces.
Further Reading
US forces: Rockets hit airbase in Iraq hosting US troops (Associated Press)
Rockets land at Iraqi air base hosting U.S. forces (Reuters)
Biden Launches Airstrike Against Iran-Backed Militia In Syria (Forbes)
U.S. airstrike in Syria on Iranian-backed militia killed one fighter, wounded two, Pentagon says (NBC News)
