Following the Iranian threat of a widespread response to Israel for the assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, informed sources revealed that the Ain al-Assad base in western Iraq is conducting undisclosed drills to counter a comprehensive missile and drone attack. They added that "the drills are a precautionary measure especially since its defenses have failed multiple times to intercept missiles and drones launched by Iraqi factions, which resulted in the recent attack injuring five to seven soldiers, although only two out of ten missiles were launched as the others were neutralized by Iraqi forces."
The sources indicated that "U.S. forces at Ain al-Assad still believe they could face a large-scale attack, which explains the increased air traffic between it and other bases in Syria amid reports of new air defense systems being deployed that are capable of more effectively countering drones and missiles." Additionally, previous reports revealed that Ain al-Assad in Anbar province has turned into a ghost base in anticipation of being targeted by Iraqi factions, noting that U.S. drones are continuously flying over it.
This move comes after U.S. drone strikes targeted Popular Mobilization Forces in Jurf al-Sakhar north of Babil, resulting in the martyrdom of four members and injuries to others, while the United States and Israel prepare for Iranian retaliatory strikes with the support of resistance factions in Yemen, Lebanon, Iraq, and Syria.
