In a significant development in the Middle East, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq announced today, Friday, a coordinated attack on the American Ain Al-Assad base in Western Iraq. This attack is the second of its kind following their earlier strike on the Harir base in Northern Iraq. The Islamic Resistance stated that their operatives targeted the “American occupation base Ain Al-Assad” using two drones, which directly hit their intended targets. The group added that this attack was a retaliation for the “crimes committed by the enemy against our people in Gaza.”
Earlier on Friday morning, the Islamic Resistance had confirmed their targeting of the Harir Air Base, which houses American forces, using a drone. In their statement released today, they emphasized that these actions were a response to the transgressions in Gaza.
This recent surge in attacks comes less than a week after the Islamic Resistance declared strikes on both Ain Al-Assad and Harir American bases in the north and west of Iraq. These events underscore a growing tension in the region, reflecting a broader context of conflict and political unrest.
Adding to the gravity of the situation, Thomas Lohid, the assistant to the Deputy Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force, stated yesterday that U.S. Air Force bases worldwide are facing a significantly higher risk of attacks than during the Cold War era. He noted that the U.S. military has learned how to prevent such attacks.
Furthermore, Sabrina Singh, the Deputy Spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Defense (Pentagon), earlier announced that since October 17th, U.S. military personnel and bases in the Middle East have been subjected to 55 attacks, resulting in 59 military injuries. This highlights the escalating challenges the U.S. faces in maintaining its military presence in the region.
The U.S. military presence in Iraq has been a point of contention since the 2003 invasion, leading to various resistance groups forming in opposition to what they view as an occupation. The targeting of U.S. bases by the Islamic Resistance signals a continuation of this long-standing conflict, and it brings into question the future stability of the region and the effectiveness of U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East.
