Iraq
Air defense systems in Iraq intercepted a drone targeting an airbase hosting Iraqi and US forces west of Baghdad on May 24, 2022. Photo: Iraqi Security Media Cell; Graphic: Rudaw
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Air defense systems in Iraq on Tuesday intercepted a drone targeting an airbase hosting Iraqi and US forces west of Baghdad. There are no reports of casualties.
Iraqi Security Media Cell said the defense systems shot down one drone that was approaching an airbase near Baghdad airport in the early hours of the day.
It is unclear where the drone was launched from as the cell did not disclose further details regarding the incident.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.
The recently-attempted drone assault comes a day after Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi vowed revenge over the killing of a Revolutionary Guards colonel on Sunday.
Sayyad Khodaei was shot dead outside his home in Tehran. Iran blamed his death on "elements linked to the global arrogance", a term it uses to refer to the United States and its allies, including Israel.
The killing was the most high-profile assassination inside Iran since the murder of top nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh in November 2020.
Attacks on US bases in Iraq, widely blamed on Iran-backed militias, have seen an increase especially following the assassination of Iranian general Qasem Soleimani in 2020. Soleimani’s killing allowed Iran to up its influence in Iraq, greatly concerning US officials about their forces' safety in the country.
One rocket landed near Ain al-Asad base housing US troops in western Iraq on April 30.
According to data compiled by Rudaw English, at least eleven rocket and drone attacks were reported on bases and facilities housing US forces and personnel in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region since the start of the year.
Iraqi Security Media Cell said the defense systems shot down one drone that was approaching an airbase near Baghdad airport in the early hours of the day.
It is unclear where the drone was launched from as the cell did not disclose further details regarding the incident.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.
The recently-attempted drone assault comes a day after Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi vowed revenge over the killing of a Revolutionary Guards colonel on Sunday.
Sayyad Khodaei was shot dead outside his home in Tehran. Iran blamed his death on "elements linked to the global arrogance", a term it uses to refer to the United States and its allies, including Israel.
The killing was the most high-profile assassination inside Iran since the murder of top nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh in November 2020.
Attacks on US bases in Iraq, widely blamed on Iran-backed militias, have seen an increase especially following the assassination of Iranian general Qasem Soleimani in 2020. Soleimani’s killing allowed Iran to up its influence in Iraq, greatly concerning US officials about their forces' safety in the country.
One rocket landed near Ain al-Asad base housing US troops in western Iraq on April 30.
According to data compiled by Rudaw English, at least eleven rocket and drone attacks were reported on bases and facilities housing US forces and personnel in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region since the start of the year.
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