New Drone Attack Against US Troops in Iraq

Defense New , Iraq :- In a disturbing turn of events on Monday, a military base in northern Iraq, housing both US and anti-jihadist coalition forces, fell victim to a drone attack, according to statements from US and Iraqi officials. The incident near Arbil airport in Iraqi Kurdistan resulted in injuries, as confirmed by Yehia Rasool, the Iraqi prime minister spokesman for military affairs, though specifics were not disclosed.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, a US military official verified the drone attack targeting "US and coalition forces" at the airbase, emphasizing that assessments of injuries and damages were still pending.

Shortly after this initial attack, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq claimed responsibility for launching another drone against a base near Harir, northeast of Arbil, which also houses US and coalition forces. This loosely formed coalition of armed groups is affiliated with the Hashed al-Shaabi coalition, comprised of former paramilitaries now integrated into Iraq regular armed forces.

Since the onset of the Israel-Hamas conflict on October 7, attacks on the coalition have surged, marking a total of 103 incidents against US troops in Iraq and Syria, as per a tally by US military officials. The majority of these attacks have been claimed by the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, a group opposing US support for Israel in its conflict with Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

In a related development in early December, the US embassy in Baghdad experienced rocket fire, the first such incident since the commencement of the Gaza conflict. Although unclaimed, several arrests were made, with some individuals found to have links to the security services,