Staff Reports
An Iranian missile attack hit the al Asad Airbase in Western Iraq, causing injuries to U.S. personnel stationed there, as reported by U.S. Central Command. The CENTCOM announcement stated that the extent of the damage is still being evaluated, and some American personnel are receiving treatment for traumatic brain injuries. Additionally, at least one Iraqi service member was also wounded in the attack.
Despite the brazen assault, the base’s air defense system managed to intercept most of the incoming missiles, preventing further destruction and casualties. This attack marks the alarming 58th time Iranian-backed militants have targeted the U.S. military in Iraq since the onset of Hamas’ aggressive assault against Israel on October 7, 2023.
US personnel injured in Iranian-backed militants' missile attack on Iraqi airbase – Washington Examiner https://t.co/9UZhjKCXln
— Fearless45 (@Fearless45Trump) January 21, 2024
In a related development, U.S. military installations in Syria have faced a staggering 83 attacks by Iran-backed militants. The recent strike in Iraq and Syria occurred simultaneously, prompting condemnation from the Governor of Erbil, Iraq, who denounced the missile strikes as nothing short of a terrorist attack. The assailants, purportedly supported by Iran, have asserted that their targets were “espionage centers and gatherings of anti-Iranian terrorist groups.”
The targeted areas in both Iraq and Syria are vital for U.S. military operations, with approximately 2,500 troops stationed in Iraq and another 900 deployed in Syria. Their mission is to provide crucial support to local forces to prevent the recurrence of an Islamic State takeover, a grave threat that plunged both countries into chaos back in 2014.
The heinous attacks orchestrated by Iranian proxies serve as a stark reminder of the volatile and perilous conditions faced by U.S. forces in the region. The continued acts of aggression highlight the urgent need for robust and unwavering measures to combat Iranian-backed terrorism and safeguard the safety and security of American personnel deployed in the Middle East.
