US forces in Iraq targeted in drone strikes amid Gaza tensions raising fears of wider conflict and higher 'geopolitical stakes'

20 October 2023, 09:58

Task Force Phoenix UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters conduct a MEDEVAC mission from Al Asad Airbase.
Task Force Phoenix UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters conduct a MEDEVAC mission from Al Asad Airbase. Picture: Alamy
EJ Ward

By EJ Ward

US troops in the Middle East came under attack from suspected Iran-backed militias on Thursday night in an escalation that threatened to pull global powers into the Gaza conflict.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Bases housing US soldiers came under attack in Iraq and Syria, raising fears Iran was mobilising proxy forces against the West, which backs Israel in its war with Hamas.

Two drones struck the al Asad airbase in western Iraq used by American troops, while another targeted a northern Iraqi base, according to a US official.

US forces intercepted the drones, destroying two but only damaging the third, which resulted in light wounds to coalition forces at al Asad, Central Command said.

"In this moment of heightened alert, we are vigilantly monitoring the situation in Iraq and the region. US forces will defend US and coalition forces against any threat," the statement said.

The US Navy also said it intercepted missiles and drones fired from Yemen and headed “potentially towards targets in Israel”.

Read more: 'America is a beacon to the world, still': Joe Biden to ask Congress for urgent aid for Israel and Ukraine

Read more: Machine gun fire breaks out on Israel's border with Gaza as soldiers told 'you will soon see it from the inside'

Iraqi militias aligned with Iran have threatened attacks on US facilities over American backing of Israel. The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella of Iranian-backed militias, claimed responsibility for the two attacks and warned of more operations against the "American occupation."

The attacks occurred amid rising tensions and worries about wider regional conflict following the recent Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.

Much focus has been on Hezbollah in Lebanon and its arsenal, but the Iraqi militias have also threatened US interests over support for Israel.

After the Gaza hospital blast that killed hundreds, Kataib Hezbollah militia head Ahmad al-Hamidawi said “Our missiles, drones and special forces are ready to direct qualitative strikes at the American enemy in its bases and disrupt its interests if it intervenes in this battle.” He also threatened Israeli targets.

The militias blamed the US and its Israel backing for the Gaza catastrophe and demanded an end to the American presence in Iraq, calling them “evil people” who “must leave the country. Otherwise, they will taste the fire of hell in this world before the afterlife."

US officials confirmed the al-Asad attack but did not immediately comment on the claimed strike on the northern base. Kurdish authorities said an intercepted drone crashed near a village.

Analysts said the Iraqi groups are unlikely to open a new battlefront unless the Gaza conflict escalates further, but could provide support roles if needed.

The militant "vanguard" groups tightly controlled by Iran have served as foot soldiers in regional conflicts before.

The Henry Jackson Society's Executive Director, Dr Alan Mendoza, said: “The news that US bases in the wider Middle East have come under some sort of attack from Iran-backed sources has just raised the geopolitical stakes in the Israel-Gaza conflict once more.

"Iran continues to exert a malign influence on events in what can only be construed as an attempt at escalation. The key to avoiding this is to persuade Tehran to control its expansionist appetite by explaining that the consequences of any escalation will be felt most clearly in Tehran first.”

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Chinese President Xi Jinping, centre, stands for a group photograph with European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, right, and European Council president Charles Michel prior to their meeting

Divides on trade and Ukraine in focus as EU and China’s leaders meet in Beijing

APTOPIX Campus Shooting Las Vegas

Gunman dead after killing three in attack at Las Vegas university

Florida governor Ron DeSantis, third from left, speaks as former New Jersey governor Chris Christie, left, former UN ambassador Nikki Haley and businessman Vivek Ramaswamy, right, watch during a Repub

Republican debate candidates asked about Trump but Haley faces most attacks

Parts of a Ulez camera exploded, causing damage on a Sidcup street

Ulez camera explodes 'like WW2 bomb' denting van and taking chunks out of brick wall 'after being cut down'

Maryam Moshiri made the gesture ahead of a news programme yesterday

'I wasn’t ‘flipping the bird’ at viewers': BBC presenter apologises after giving middle finger live on air in ‘private joke’

The minister was speaking to LBC's NIck Ferrari at Breakfast

'On Tuesday he loves the policy, 24 hours later he quits over it': Nick Ferrari grills minister over Jenrick's resignation

Christmas gifts could be delayed due to the Panama Canal experiencing the worst drought on record.

Christmas supplies in UK at risk as Panama Canal shipping route faces worst drought on record

Russian President Vladimir Putin

Russian legislators set March date for presidential election

A US military CV-22 Osprey takes off from Iwakuni base, Yamaguchi prefecture, western Japan, in 2018

US military grounds entire fleet of Osprey aircraft following deadly crash

Live
Boris Johnson arriving for day two of his evidence

LIVE: Boris Johnson arrives early ahead of second day of Covid inquiry evidence

More people are using cash in the cost of living crisis

Cash back! Shopping with cash rises for first time in 10 years

Anne Robinson has been secretly dating Andrew Parker Bowles

Anne Robinson secretly dating Camilla's ex Andrew Parker Bowles - and Queen 'knows about relationship'

Biden

US Senate blocks international aid to push for stronger domestic border policy

Harry and Meghan will not attend the Duke of Westminster's wedding

Harry and Meghan say they were invited to 'wedding of the year' and not snubbed as they 'refuse to go over awkwardness'

The licence fee is due to go up by more than £10

BBC TV licence fee 'to rise by more than £10' as Sunak warns it to 'be realistic' about charge in cost of living crisis

YE Top Photos Mideast 2023

UN chief uses rare power to warn of impending humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza