Newsweek

Top Iran, Iraq Diplomats to Meet After Back-to-Back Attacks on U.S. Troops

In a rocket attack at al-Asad airbase in western Iraq on Monday, two Katyusha rockets wounded at least five US servicemen, according to US officials.

The strike took place as the Middle East prepares for potential new attacks by Iran and its allies following the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and leaders from Hezbollah last week.

Reuters

On Tuesday, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an Iranian-backed militia, issued a statement claiming responsibility for the attack, saying it was a retaliation for US support of Israel's war against Hamas in Gaza. In January, the group attacked a US base in Jordan, which killed three US servicemen.

Arab News

France 24

A US official said Monday's rocket attack followed a US strike last week on combatants who were launching drones that threatened American and allied troops. Iraqi sources reported four deaths in the first American strike in Iraq since February.

Yahoo! News

About 2,5K US troops remain in Iraq, with 900 in Syria. Prime Minister Mohamed Shia al-Sudani has called for the US-led coalition in Iraq to leave to avoid regional tensions that could drag Iraq into a larger regional conflict.

The White House said it had briefed the president and vice president on the attack. The brief focused on Iran's and its proxies' threats to Israel and US military personnel in the region. The president determines which actions to take and when.

Newsweek #5145

Reuters #

Arab News #

France 24 #

Yahoo! News #

There is an 18% chance of a state-based conflict between Israel and Iran causing at least 1K deaths before 2025, as predicted by the Metaculus community.

Metaculus2

1,000 deaths from Israel/Iran Conflict

The attack on Al-Asad Airbase in Iraq is happening at a critical moment. The world is anticipating Iran's response to last week's deadly attack on the Hamas leader in Tehran, which Iran blames on Israel. The US is trying to persuade Iran to de-escalate to prevent a wider regional war, and in the event of an Iranian attack, the US has maintained its unconditional support for Israel. At the same time, the US cannot accept terrorist attacks on its troops and reserves the right to respond in a manner and place of its choosing.

The US-Iran Conflict

Planet Lab, Inc / Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

US personnel wounded in attack against base in Iraq, officials say

Iraq

Iran

Syria

Military

The attack on Al-Asad Airbase in Iraq happened at a critical moment. The world is anticipating Iran's response to last week's deadly attack on the Hamas leader in Tehran, which Iran blames on Israel. The US is trying to persuade Iran to de-escalate to avoid a wider regional war. In the event of an Iranian attack, the US has maintained its unconditional support for Israel. At the same time, the US cannot accept terrorist attacks on its troops and reserves the right to respond in a manner and place of its choosing.

US personnel wounded in attack against base in Iraq, officials say

US personnel wounded in attack against base in Iraq, officials say

The Spin

Metaculus Prediction

Go Deeper

Articles on this story

Sign Up for Our Free Newsletters
Sign Up for Our Free Newsletters

US personnel wounded in attack against base in Iraq, officials say

US personnel wounded in attack against base in Iraq, officials say

The Spin

Metaculus Prediction

Go Deeper

Articles on this story

Sign Up for Our Free NewslettersSign Up for Our Free Newsletters

Sign Up for Our Free Newsletters
Sign Up for Our Free Newsletters