Iran-backed militias attack U.S. forces in western Iraq

[Valin]

FDD's Long War Journal

Joe Truzman & Bill Roggio

January 20, 2024 |

Iraqi militias backed by Iran launched a barrage of ballistic missiles and rockets targeting Ain al-Assad airbase in western Iraq on Saturday evening. The Iranian-backed Iraqi militias have targeted U.S. forces with ballistic missiles since they have escalated attacks on U.S. forces in Iraq.

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) stated that the base’s air defense system intercepted most of the rockets, but some still managed to impact the area. As a result of the attack, an undisclosed number of U.S. personnel are being evaluated for traumatic brain injuries, and at least one Iraqi service member was injured.

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, a coalition of militias and front organizations supported by Iran claimed responsibility for the attack on Ain al-Assad.

In a statement, they asserted that the “Mujahideen of the Islamic Resistance in Iraq attacked the occupied Ain al-Asad base in western Iraq with a missile salvo.”

Reuters has reported that there have been over 140 attacks on American positions in Iraq and Syria since the beginning of the Hamas-Israel conflict on October 7. This recent strike on Ain al-Assad appears to be one of the most significant assaults on American troops since the escalation of hostilities. However, it is not the first time that Iraqi militias have fired a ballistic missile against American positions in the region.

(Snip)