Military Space News
IRAQ WARS
Iraq says five arrested over attack on US troops
Reuters Events SMR and Advanced Reactor 2025
Iraq says five arrested over attack on US troops
by AFP Staff Writers
Baghdad (AFP) Aug 8, 2024

Iraqi authorities have arrested five suspects over a recent attack on a military base hosting US troops that wounded seven Americans, officials said Thursday.

The rocket attack Monday was the latest in a series targeting Ain al-Assad base in recent weeks, which hosts American troops as well as other personnel from the US-led coalition against the Islamic State jihadist group.

The Iraqi government's security media unit said in a statement that after "in-depth investigation and witness statements... five people involved in the illegal act were arrested".

The statement did not provide further details on the suspects or whether they were affiliated with any groups.

According to a US defence official "five US service members and two US contractors were injured in the attack," in which two rockets struck the base.

US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin blamed the attack on "an Iranian-backed Shiite militia group," but said investigations were ongoing to determine which group.

Such attacks were frequent early in the war between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza, but had largely halted until recently.

There have also been two other recent attacks targeting Ain al-Assad base -- on July 16 and 25.

Monday's rocket attack came at a time of already heightened tensions in the Middle East, with the region awaiting an expected counterattack by Iran on Israel following the killing of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran last week.

The rocket attack came after US forces carried out a strike in Iraq last week that a US official said targeted combatants who were attempting to launch drones deemed a threat to American and allied troops.

The strike, which Iraqi sources said left four dead, was the first by American forces in Iraq since February.

Attacks against US troops were much more common in the first few months of the Gaza war, when they were targeted more than 175 times.

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, a loose alliance of pro-Iran groups, claimed the majority of those attacks, saying they were in solidarity with Palestinians.

Related Links
Iraq: The first technology war of the 21st century

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
IRAQ WARS
Seven US personnel injured in attack on Iraq base
Baghdad (AFP) Aug 6, 2024
A rocket attack on a base in Iraq wounded seven Americans, a US official said on Tuesday, with Washington blaming an Iran-backed militia group and saying such violence will not be tolerated. The rocket fire the previous day was the latest in a series of attacks targeting Ain al-Assad base in recent weeks, which hosts American troops as well as other personnel from the US-led coalition against the Islamic State jihadist group. It came at a time of already heightened tensions in the Middle East, w ... read more

IRAQ WARS
Poland inks deal for 48 Patriot air-defence launchers

NSPA Grants Raytheon $478 Million Contract to Supply Patriot GEM-T Missiles

Turkey plans to build its own anti-missile defence system

Ukraine deploys air defence as Russia targets Kyiv

IRAQ WARS
Poland buys hundreds of US air-to-air missiles

Iran says Guards navy gets 'large number' of new missiles, drones

Two killed in Russian missile attack on Kyiv

Netherlands to stock up on JASSM-ER missiles

IRAQ WARS
Tengden Completes Test Flight of China's Largest Cargo Drone

ELTA North America Excels in Pentagon Drone Defense Swarm Test

Russia says drones, missiles shot down over Kursk region

Russia says destroyed 76 Ukrainian drones

IRAQ WARS
Reticulate Micro delivers advanced video tech VAST to US Army

Northrop Grumman completes PDR for SDA Data Transport Satellites

SES Space and Defense secures US Air Force Air Combat Command contract

Akima Wins $480 Million Contract to Enhance U.S. Space Force Satellite Operations

IRAQ WARS
Czech army to receive German tanks in Ukraine aid compensation

What we know about Hezbollah's weapons arsenal

US announces $1.7 bn in new security assistance for Ukraine

GAO finds another $2B in military aid for Ukraine

IRAQ WARS
US lifts restrictions on Saudi weapons, with eye on resolving Gaza

U.S. tightens sanctions on Belarus, Lukashenko regime

Two Russian officials linked to defence ministry detained for fraud

US sanctions Huthi weapons procurement network

IRAQ WARS
Indian FM on first visit to Maldives since troops sent packing

Philippines' Marcos condemns China's 'illegal and reckless' actions over disputed reef

India and Maldives look to reset ties after troops expelled

U.S., Australia deepen relationship amid growing China threat

IRAQ WARS
Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.