Iraq Army warns that it will 'pursue' factions who attacked US Ain Al-Assad base

Iraq’s Army spokesperson, Maj. Gen. Yahya Rasoul, on Monday said that Iraqi state will “pursue” factions who carried out attacks on Army bases housing US troops within country. In a statement published on October 23, Rasoul warned against any acts of belligerence and assaults on American bases that are housing coalition troops.

Maj. Rasoul’s remarks came in response to ‘Katyusha’ rockets launched on US military’s ‘Ain Al-Ass’ base in west of Iraq's Anbar province on Saturday. American military in Iraq said that y intercepted and shot down two drones directed towards Ain al-As, as one explosion was heard inside base premises.

Iraqi Army’s spokesperson said that military visers from US-led coalition were in Baghd “at invitation of government,” and ir mission is to train Iraqi forces. Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia' Al Sudani, has ordered Iraqi security agencies to go after those who carry out attacks on US military bases in view of escalating tensions due to Israel-Palestine war in Middle East.

A US soldier guards a position at Camp Swift, norrn Iraq. Credit: AP

Maj. Rasoul warns against harm to Iraq’s national security

Maj. Rasoul cautioned Iran-backed militia against making any attempts to harm Iraq’s national security. Over past week, defence bases housing US troops in Iraq came under rocket and UAV attacks by Iranian-backed groups. About 2,500 US troops have been stationed in Iraq to train Iraqi forces and prevent a resurgence of Islamic State (IS) terrorists.

Tehran-based agency IRNA said that that Iraqi Islamic Resistance targeted US Ain al-Ass air base in western province of Anbar. In visuals released online, y vowed to strike US military bases on Iraqi soil in retaliation for what y described as “Zionist regime” Israel’s ongoing hostilities against Hamas and civilians in besieged Gaza Strip.

Satellite imagery shows Ain al-As base in Iraq’s western Anbar province. Credit: AP/Planet Labs

Iraq-based Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba, 12th Brige of rical Iraqi Shi'ite paramilitary group active in Syria and Iraq (HaN) published footage warning of more UAV strikes on American bases in Iraq in a retaliatory move to Israeli bombing of al-Maamani hospital in Gaza. Backed by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force (IRGC-QF), faction that is listed by Washington as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) said that it will launch a barrage of drones and missiles that would fly over “ enemy’s settlements and bases” if Israeli regime launches a ground offensive in Gaza Strip.

An Iranian attack on US Ain al-As air base in western Iraq. Credit: AP

Iraqi military and US-led military coalition have fought one of deliest battle with Islamic State of Iraq and Greater Syria in city of Mosul, Iraq since 2014. bloodiest battles have been fought for control of Fallujah, anor key ISIS-held city that lies close to border of Baghd. Iraqi military has relied on Shi’ite-majority militias of “hashd al-shabi” in its war against ISIS.