The Security Media Cell in Iraq announced on Friday that five Grad missiles along with five launch platforms were seized in the Al-Alkanah area south of Rabia city in Nineveh province. The Security Media Cell reported that security forces managed to secure the missiles and their platforms after surrounding the area, but noted that those responsible escaped.
On Thursday night, Iraqi forces successfully downed a booby-trapped drone near a security camp in the capital Baghdad amidst a tense week following the introduction of drones into the conflict between Iran-backed militias and U.S. forces. This marked the first time Iraqi forces had encountered a booby-trapped drone, with a previous occurrence reported last year in the heavily fortified Al-Jadriya area, indicating a significant shift in the strategy for using such drones.
The Security Media Cell also reported the downing of another drone in Baghdad. According to their statement, “Baghdad Operations Command forces shot down a second drone south of the capital just minutes after they issued an initial report about downing an explosives-laden drone near Camp Rashid.”
The downing of these two drones came after an attack on Baghdad Airport on Monday involving a drone, where U.S. forces are stationed, which did not result in material or human losses. Additionally, the "Victoria" base that holds American personnel at Baghdad Airport was also targeted by drone attacks last Thursday.
Recently, Iran-aligned militias have increasingly utilized drones against U.S. and Iraqi interests amid escalating tensions between Washington and Tehran.
