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Iraqi security forces have confirmed the arrest of five individuals linked to a rocket attack that injured US military personnel and contractors at a US military base in western Iraq.
Let’s bring you up to speed: Last week, al Asad Air Base in western Iraq was hit by three rockets launched by an Iranian-backed militia. Two of the rockets struck the base, injuring seven US personnel. Three of them were seriously wounded and had to be airlifted to Germany for more treatment. The Pentagon’s inconsistent updates only added to the confusion, initially reporting seven injuries, then reducing the count to four, and later providing varying figures.
What Iraq is saying: In a statement, the Iraqi Security Media Cell said, “After in-depth legal investigations and listening to witnesses’ statements, … five of those involved in this illegal act were arrested.” The Iraqi military also condemned the attack on the US base, saying, “We reject all reckless actions and practices targeting Iraqi bases, diplomatic missions, and the whereabouts of the international coalition’s advisers, and everything that would raise tension in the region.”
US welcomes arrests: In a statement following the news, US Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh said, “We certainly welcome those actions. We have a good partnership with the Iraqi government.” It’s unclear if the US will seek to take custody of the five responsible for the attack.
Digging Deeper: In recent weeks, US bases in the Middle East, particularly in Iraq, have seen an increase in attacks, mainly attributed to Iranian-backed militias. On July 25, two rockets were fired at Al Asad Air Base, though they missed their target. Just days earlier, on July 16, the same base was hit by a drone attack, with one drone causing minor damage while the other was successfully intercepted. These escalating incidents are part of a broader wave of aggression against US forces in the region, following the October 7th attacks in Israel and Israel’s subsequent invasion of Gaza.
