US Personnel Injured in Ballistic Missile Attack on Al-Asad Air Base in Iraq

In a recent ballistic missile attack on the Al-Asad Air Base in Iraq, several US personnel were injured. The base, which houses US and coalition forces, was targeted by multiple ballistic missiles and rockets. While many of these were intercepted, some did hit their target, causing minor injuries to personnel. The exact number of those injured is currently unclear, but they are being evaluated for potential traumatic brain injuries, as stated by the US Central Command (CENTCOM).

This incident marks the second use of ballistic missiles against US and coalition forces in Iraq since the outbreak of the war in Gaza on October 7, 2023. Since then, over 140 attacks have been launched against coalition forces in Iraq and Syria, predominantly by Iranian-backed Shia militias using drones and rockets. The latest attack, involving the more formidable ballistic missiles, adds to the rising tensions in the region as the war exceeds 100 days.

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an Iran-backed militia group, has claimed responsibility for the missile strike. They framed the attack as a resistance against American presence in the region and a reaction to the violence against Palestinians in Gaza. The US forces in Iraq and Syria are primarily involved in the coalition to defeat ISIS.

The United Nations secretary-general’s special representative for Iraq expressed concern about the situation, warning that continued attacks within and outside Iraq’s borders threaten the country’s stability and progress. This comes in the wake of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps launching ballistic missile strikes on northern Iraq, alleging the presence of an Israeli Mossad spy base. The United States has condemned these strikes as reckless and imprecise, highlighting the growing complexity of regional tensions linked to the ongoing conflict in Gaza.