A missile attack by an Iran-backed militia on a US air base in Iraq has injured eight service personnel and led to retaliatory US missile strikes.
The US has accused Iran of being behind the attack on the air base located in Erbil, in the semi-autonomous Kurdish region of Iraq. The attack occurred in the early hours of Thursday morning when several Katyusha rockets were fired at the air base with at least one hitting a housing complex, leaving eight US service personnel injured.
The US military responded with retaliatory strikes to the missile attack, targeting several sites associated with the militia group, known as the Popular Mobilization Forces. The US believes the airstrike had destroyed or damaged ‘multiple facilities’ related to the force.
The Pentagon believes that this was a calculated move aimed at provoking a reaction from the US. It claims the attack was intended to send a message from Iran that it is ready to retaliate against US sanctions that have increased pressure on the country. The US has long been critical of Iranian activities in the region, accusing the country of providing support to militias and proxy forces in Iraq as well as other parts of the Middle East.
In the aftermath of the attack, US officials have accused Iran of fuelling “geopolitical tensions” in the region and putting at risk the lives of service personnel and civilians. In response, Iran has denied any involvement in the attacks, casting the blame on other “rogue militia” that it claims are operating in Iraq.
The attack has prompted a wave of condemnations from the US and other western countries who believe it is another sign of Iran’s attempts to destabilise the region. However, there are also concerns that this incident could spark a wider military response with regional tensions already running high. It remains to be seen whether this is the start of an escalation or whether this incident will pass with a show of diplomatic restraint.
A missile attack by an Iran-backed militia on a US air base in Iraq has injured eight service personnel and led to retaliatory US missile strikes.
The US has accused Iran of being behind the attack on the air base located in Erbil, in the semi-autonomous Kurdish region of Iraq. The attack occurred in the early hours of Thursday morning when several Katyusha rockets were fired at the air base with at least one hitting a housing complex, leaving eight US service personnel injured.
The US military responded with retaliatory strikes to the missile attack, targeting several sites associated with the militia group, known as the Popular Mobilization Forces. The US believes the airstrike had destroyed or damaged ‘multiple facilities’ related to the force.
The Pentagon believes that this was a calculated move aimed at provoking a reaction from the US. It claims the attack was intended to send a message from Iran that it is ready to retaliate against US sanctions that have increased pressure on the country. The US has long been critical of Iranian activities in the region, accusing the country of providing support to militias and proxy forces in Iraq as well as other parts of the Middle East.
In the aftermath of the attack, US officials have accused Iran of fuelling “geopolitical tensions” in the region and putting at risk the lives of service personnel and civilians. In response, Iran has denied any involvement in the attacks, casting the blame on other “rogue militia” that it claims are operating in Iraq.
The attack has prompted a wave of condemnations from the US and other western countries who believe it is another sign of Iran’s attempts to destabilise the region. However, there are also concerns that this incident could spark a wider military response with regional tensions already running high. It remains to be seen whether this is the start of an escalation or whether this incident will pass with a show of diplomatic restraint.
