Video footage captured the moment several missiles were launched towards a US military base outside Baghdad International Airport in Iraq, just minutes before President Joe Biden addressed the nation.
An anti-missile system was activated and intercepted the missile. It is still unclear whether the attacks caused casualties or damage.
An excerpt, posted by Reuters journalist Ahmed Rasheed, is captioned: “Missiles hit a military base where US forces are near Baghdad airport.”
Drones and missiles also targeted Ain al-Asad air base, which hosts US and other international forces in western Iraq, on Thursday, and multiple explosions were heard inside the base.
Video footage captured the moment several missiles were launched towards a US military base outside Baghdad International Airport in Iraq. The clip, posted by Reuters journalist Ahmed Rasheed, is captioned: ‘Missiles hit a military base housing US troops near Baghdad airport’
Military vehicles of US soldiers are seen at al-Asad air base in Anbar Province, Iraq in 2020
U.S. forces have been repeatedly targeted in Iraq and Syria in recent days, U.S. officials said Thursday.
Over the past three days, Iranian-affiliated groups have reportedly launched suicide drones and missiles targeting US troops, causing several injuries.
US troops have been injured after three drones attacked two coalition bases in Iraq over the past 24 hours.
Two of the drones were launched at al-Asad air base, west of Baghdad, and a third targeted al-Harir air base in the north of the war-torn country.
The planes were intercepted, but one of the drones still managed to explode, causing minor injuries and damage to equipment.
The attack comes amid rising tensions in the Middle East after Israel launched a bombing campaign on the Gaza Strip following a terror attack by Hamas on October 7.
U.S. forces have been repeatedly targeted in Iraq and Syria in recent days, U.S. officials said Thursday.
The second drone strike targeted al-Harir air base, where US troops are based in the northern Iraqi city of Erbil.
Some US troops were being assessed for possible traumatic brain injuries, an official told Reuters.
The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an Iranian-backed terrorist faction, claimed responsibility for the attack, saying it heralds “more operations” against the “American occupation.”
The attack comes amid rising tensions in the Middle East amid Israel’s war against Hamas following the terror attack that killed more than 1,400 people on October 7.
Protests erupted across the region as President Joe Biden flew to Jerusalem on Wednesday to show his support for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Biden has deployed naval forces to the Middle East in the past two weeks, including two aircraft carriers, other warships and about 2,000 Marines.
“While I will not predict any potential responses to these attacks, I will say that we will take all necessary measures to defend U.S. and coalition forces against any threat,” Pentagon spokesman Brigadier General Patrick Ryder told reporters on Thursday.
Wednesday’s attacks came as President Joe Biden visited Israel amid the country’s war with Hamas
“Any response, should it arise, will come at a time of our choosing,” Ryder said.
Since the outbreak of the conflict in Israel, the number of attacks on US troops has increased, putting Washington on heightened alert.
There are currently 2,500 US troops stationed in Iraq.
Last week, Iraqi forces aligned with Iran threatened to attack US interests with missiles and drones if Washington intervened to support Israel against Hamas in Gaza.
The Pentagon has rushed air defenses and ammunition to Israel, America’s closest ally in the Middle East, but American troops have not joined the fighting.
Since the war between Israel and Hamas began on October 7, much of the attention has been focused on Hezbollah, Hamas’s powerful ally across Israel’s northern border in Lebanon, and its formidable arsenal. The group has carried out limited attacks with Israel on the border in recent days.
But Iranian-backed militias in Iraq have also threatened to attack US facilities over US support for Israel.
“Our missiles, drones and special forces are ready to direct quality attacks against the American enemy in its bases and disrupt its interests if it intervenes in this battle,” said Ahmad “Abu Hussein” al-Hamidawi, head of the Kataib Hezbollah militia. said in a statement last Wednesday. He also threatened to fire rockets at Israeli targets.