Iran ups the ante against US, proxies strike Iraq military base with ballistic missiles
Jan 21, 2024, 19:33 IST
- US personnel in Iraq are undergoing traumatic brain injury evaluations.
- The evaluations follow a missile barrage launched by Iran-back militias on the Al-Asad airbase.
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US personnel in Iraq are undergoing traumatic brain injury evaluations after Iranian-backed militias launched a barrage of ballistic missiles and rockets at the Al-Asad airbase in western Iraq on Saturday, according to a statement from the US Central Command (CENTCOM).
The press release stated that multiple ballistic missiles and rockets were launched at about 6:30 p.m. Baghdad time on January 20. "Most of the missiles were intercepted by the base's air defense systems while others impacted on the base," per CENTCOM.CENTCOM said that damage assessments are ongoing, and several US personnel are undergoing evaluation for traumatic brain injuries.At least one Iraqi service member was reportedly wounded.The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an Iran-backed militia group, claimed responsibility for firing the missiles that were launched from inside the country.
The attack is believed to be the largest among more than 140 incidents since mid-October, signifies a pattern of Iranian-backed militia groups targeting US forces in Iraq and Syria, ABC News reports.The attacks are seen by some as acts of solidarity with Palestinians amid the Israel-Hamas conflict, mirroring similar actions by Houthi militants in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden against commercial shipping.Unlike previous attacks primarily using Iranian-made drones and rockets, Saturday's assault involved more powerful ballistic missiles and repesents an escalatory move, per ABC News.The Pentagon says strikes on Houthi rebels are 'defensive' measures
