Iraqi security sources reported on Wednesday that the international coalition’s “Ain Al-Assad” military base, located in western Iraq, was attacked by two drones on Tuesday night, resulting in no damage or casualties.
The attack targeted the base in Anbar province amid regional tensions fueled by the war in Gaza and the harsh rhetoric of Iran-backed armed factions, which have adopted this type of attack and significantly escalated their assaults against the United States and its ally, Israel, in recent months.
However, they threatened retaliation if the Israeli forces attacked Hezbollah in Lebanon.
A source from the Anbar province police, where Ain Al-Assad is located, said: “The attack targeted Ain Al-Assad base” situated in the desert of Anbar province.
The source, who preferred to remain anonymous, added, “The attack occurred on Tuesday evening and one of the drones was shot down outside the base by the air defense system, while the other exploded inside the base without causing any injuries or damage.”
The official suggested that the attack was aimed at “embarrassing” the Iraqi government and “pressuring” for the departure of international coalition forces, a demand repeatedly made by the Iran-backed factions.
The United States deploys about 2,500 soldiers in Iraq and around 900 in Syria, as part of the international coalition formed in 2014 to fight the terrorist organization ISIS.
The resurgence of ISIS in Iraq and Syria remains a significant concern. Despite being territorially defeated in 2017, ISIS has reverted to insurgency tactics, conducting ambushes, assassinations, and other guerrilla activities. They are particularly active in rural areas of Iraq, exploiting security gaps between federal Iraq and the Iraqi Kurdistan Region. Recent operations by Iraqi forces and the U.S.-led coalition have focused on countering these resurgence efforts, especially in areas like Diyala and Anbar provinces, where ISIS continues to maintain a presence through small cells
