Baghdad International Airport was subjected to a new drone attack early Monday, just four days after a previous attack, while the ISIS terrorist organization targeted electricity towers in Salahaddin province, north of the Iraqi capital. Iraqi security sources informed "Sky News Arabia" that an explosive-laden drone targeted Baghdad International Airport, where U.S. forces are stationed, early today, but it did not cause any material or human losses. The sources added that the U.S. defense system failed to intercept the drone. Last Thursday, the "Victoria" base, which houses American military personnel at Baghdad Airport, was attacked by drones. The Security Media Cell reported that the attack involved three drones. Recently, Iranian-backed militias have increasingly used drones against U.S. interests in Iraq amid tensions between Washington and Tehran.
New Tactic
Drones represent a new tactic employed by the Iranian-backed militias in Iraq, having previously used short-range missiles. American military leaders have expressed concern over this new approach, especially since it is more challenging to intercept these drones compared to missiles, as radars typically cannot detect them. Analysts state that the Iranian-backed militias aim to compel U.S. forces to leave Iraq through the use of drones.
Electricity and "Second Lions of the Island"
In another context, the ISIS terrorist organization blew up electricity distribution towers in Salahaddin province, marking the latest attack it has launched in this area. Despite ISIS's defeat in Iraq at the end of 2017, the organization has continued to carry out sporadic attacks in various regions, including Salahaddin province. This has prompted Iraq to conduct security operations against the terrorist organization from time to time.
Second Lions of the Island
The Iraqi News Agency "WAA" reported that government forces launched "Second Lions of the Island" operations from 10 axes. The agency quoted the Security Media Cell as stating, "The ground forces command, along with the affiliated units, has begun to execute the Second Lions of the Island operation through (the Island Operations Command - West Nineveh - Salahaddin), supported by air cover from the air force and the heroic army aviation at more than ten axes." It was clarified that "this operation aims to search for and inspect the remnants of ISIS terrorist groups within the area of responsibility in the western part of the country."
