Two security sources reported that four Katyusha rockets were launched late Thursday at the Ain al-Asad airbase in Iraq, where U.S.-led coalition forces are stationed. The sources indicated that two rockets landed inside the base while the other two fell in the surrounding area. They added that it remains unclear whether the strikes resulted in any casualties or damages.
This attack comes two days after a military meeting hosted by Washington, where Iraqi and American officials discussed the possibility of ending the coalition's operations after a decade aimed at combating ISIS and repelling the group's invasion of Iraq and Syria.
No significant statements were made at the conclusion of the talks, although American and Iraqi sources suggest that an announcement regarding the commencement of a gradual withdrawal may be made in the coming weeks.
Iraqi political and military factions allied with Iran are pressing the government to expedite the reduction of the coalition's presence, asserting that they want the complete withdrawal of all 2,500 personnel. Both Washington and the Iraqi government state their desire to transition to a bilateral security relationship, which is likely to involve the retention of some forces for advisory roles.
Since the outbreak of the war between Israel and Hamas on October 7, Iranian-backed Iraqi armed factions have targeted bases housing U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria dozens of times.
