On August 5, the al-Asad Airbase in Iraq was targeted in a rocket attack, reportedly leaving several American soldiers wounded..The attack was claimed by a previously unknown group calling itself "Al-Thawriyyoon," which is affiliated with the Iran-backed Islamic Resistance..The Attack.At around 2100 hours local time, at least one 122mm rocket struck the airbase, which is located in Anbar Governorate. Reuters, citing defense officials, reported that at least five American soldiers were wounded in the strikes; however, this has not been confirmed by the United States Central Command (CENTCOM)..The rockets were fired from an improvised launcher hidden in a box truck located in the Haditha district. The Iraqi Security Media Cell reported that eight out of ten rockets were fired and two "prepared for launch" were recovered at the scene, likely having failed to launch..The use of launchers hidden in vehicles is a common tactic used by Iran-backed Shia militias in rocket attacks against American forces in the region. This allows fighters to position and fire the launcher without attracting attention..Claim of Responsibility.Soon after the strikes, a group calling itself "Al-Thawriyyoon" released a statement claiming responsibility..The statement read, "We announce the targeting of the Ain al-Assad base of the American occupation in western Iraq with several missiles and drones this evening, Monday, August 5, 2024 AD – Muharram 30, 1446 AH, and we confirm that our operations will be with advanced and continuous capabilities until the last American soldier leaves the land of our beloved Iraq.".It was signed as "The Islamic Resistance in Iraq," which is an umbrella organization of various Iran-backed Shia militias..Reactions.So far, there has not been any official statement by CENTCOM..The Iraqi Security Media Cell released a statement saying, "While we affirm our adherence to the sovereignty and independence of Iraq, and categorically reject any aggression from within or outside Iraq, on Iraqi lands, interests, and targets, and from any party that carries out this aggression or violation or assists in it in one way or another," adding that "we reject all reckless actions and practices that target Iraqi bases, diplomatic missions, and locations of advisors to the international coalition, and everything that would raise tension in the region, or drag Iraq into dangerous situations and repercussions, or harm the interests of the various states."."We will not accept that Iraqi territory be an arena for settling scores, shuffling cards, and being dragged into the woes of wars and the repercussions of conflicts.".The So What.As tensions between Israel and Iran, as well as its "Axis of Resistance," continue to escalate, increased attacks against American forces in the Middle East are expected to intensify..Attacks by the Islamic Resistance tend to scale with increased Israeli military operations. Rocket and drone attacks against American forces in Iraq and Syria began just days after Israeli forces began preparing ground operations against Gaza following the October 7 attacks..Strike operations persisted on a frequent basis for months until the January 20 drone attack against the Tower 22 outpost, which left three American soldiers dead and triggered large-scale retaliatory strikes by American forces. Attacks then hit a lull as operations focused on Israel, but have now begun to ramp up again amid increasing tensions with Hezbollah and Iran..Retaliation for the killing of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyah will potentially see attacks against American forces, as Iran and its proxies fundamentally see the United States and Israel as the same enemy. Several factions that make up the Islamic Resistance have historically targeted American forces in the region in response to Israeli military action in recent years. Likewise, Iran has long criticized the United States' military support for Israel, as seen with weapons shipments and involvement in intercepting Iranian drones and missiles during the April barrage.
On August 5, the al-Asad Airbase in Iraq was targeted in a rocket attack, reportedly leaving several American soldiers wounded..The attack was claimed by a previously unknown group calling itself "Al-Thawriyyoon," which is affiliated with the Iran-backed Islamic Resistance..The Attack.At around 2100 hours local time, at least one 122mm rocket struck the airbase, which is located in Anbar Governorate. Reuters, citing defense officials, reported that at least five American soldiers were wounded in the strikes; however, this has not been confirmed by the United States Central Command (CENTCOM)..The rockets were fired from an improvised launcher hidden in a box truck located in the Haditha district. The Iraqi Security Media Cell reported that eight out of ten rockets were fired and two "prepared for launch" were recovered at the scene, likely having failed to launch..The use of launchers hidden in vehicles is a common tactic used by Iran-backed Shia militias in rocket attacks against American forces in the region. This allows fighters to position and fire the launcher without attracting attention..Claim of Responsibility.Soon after the strikes, a group calling itself "Al-Thawriyyoon" released a statement claiming responsibility..The statement read, "We announce the targeting of the Ain al-Assad base of the American occupation in western Iraq with several missiles and drones this evening, Monday, August 5, 2024 AD – Muharram 30, 1446 AH, and we confirm that our operations will be with advanced and continuous capabilities until the last American soldier leaves the land of our beloved Iraq.".It was signed as "The Islamic Resistance in Iraq," which is an umbrella organization of various Iran-backed Shia militias..Reactions.So far, there has not been any official statement by CENTCOM..The Iraqi Security Media Cell released a statement saying, "While we affirm our adherence to the sovereignty and independence of Iraq, and categorically reject any aggression from within or outside Iraq, on Iraqi lands, interests, and targets, and from any party that carries out this aggression or violation or assists in it in one way or another," adding that "we reject all reckless actions and practices that target Iraqi bases, diplomatic missions, and locations of advisors to the international coalition, and everything that would raise tension in the region, or drag Iraq into dangerous situations and repercussions, or harm the interests of the various states."."We will not accept that Iraqi territory be an arena for settling scores, shuffling cards, and being dragged into the woes of wars and the repercussions of conflicts.".The So What.As tensions between Israel and Iran, as well as its "Axis of Resistance," continue to escalate, increased attacks against American forces in the Middle East are expected to intensify..Attacks by the Islamic Resistance tend to scale with increased Israeli military operations. Rocket and drone attacks against American forces in Iraq and Syria began just days after Israeli forces began preparing ground operations against Gaza following the October 7 attacks..Strike operations persisted on a frequent basis for months until the January 20 drone attack against the Tower 22 outpost, which left three American soldiers dead and triggered large-scale retaliatory strikes by American forces. Attacks then hit a lull as operations focused on Israel, but have now begun to ramp up again amid increasing tensions with Hezbollah and Iran..Retaliation for the killing of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyah will potentially see attacks against American forces, as Iran and its proxies fundamentally see the United States and Israel as the same enemy. Several factions that make up the Islamic Resistance have historically targeted American forces in the region in response to Israeli military action in recent years. Likewise, Iran has long criticized the United States' military support for Israel, as seen with weapons shipments and involvement in intercepting Iranian drones and missiles during the April barrage.
