US to hold Iran-linked groups in Iraq accountable for continued attacks
In response to a significant attack on a base housing US forces in Iraq over the weekend, the United States has declared its intent to hold Iran-backed militants accountable for their actions. The assault on Al-Asad Airbase in western Iraq involved the firing of multiple ballistic missiles and rockets by Iranian-backed groups.
This act, labeled as “extremely serious” by the White House, resulted in casualties, including an Iraqi and potentially American individuals, as confirmed by the US military.
White House Deputy National Security Advisor Jon Finer, emphasizing the severity of the attack, stated on ABC’s This Week that the US will respond robustly to establish deterrence in such situations. He assured the public that the government is taking the matter very seriously, underlining the need to hold accountable those groups persistently engaging in attacks against the US and its interests.
The Pentagon and Finer reported that the majority of projectiles directed at the base were successfully intercepted by air defense systems, highlighting the capability of the defense mechanisms. Notably, this incident is part of a series of attacks on the approximately 2,500 US troops in Iraq and the 900 stationed in Syria since mid-October. Most of these attacks have been attributed to the “Islamic Resistance in Iraq,” a coalition of Iran-linked armed groups opposing US involvement in support of Israel amid the Gaza conflict.
Of particular concern is the shift in the nature of these attacks, with the deployment of ballistic missiles representing an escalation from previous incidents that primarily involved lower-tech rockets and drones. This development raises apprehensions about the evolving tactics employed by these Iran-backed groups.
The timing of the air base attack adds to the heightened tensions in the Middle East, coinciding with the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war on October 7. The broader context of regional conflicts and power dynamics underscores the complexity of the situation and the challenges faced by the US in addressing these ongoing security threats.
