Attacks on U.S. bases in Iraq, Jordan, and Syria during the Israel–Hamas war
Starting on 17 October 2023, and in response to United States support for Israel in the Israel–Hamas war, Iran-backed militias initiated a coordinated series of more than 170 attacks on U.S. military bases and assets in Syria, Iraq, and Jordan.[33][34][35] These attacks resulted in injuries to dozens of U.S. service members. In retaliation, the U.S. has launched multiple counterattacks, resulting in the death of over 30 militants including a senior commander of the Nujaba Movement, Mushtaq Talib al-Saidi.[23] In February 2024, following U.S. airstrikes in Iraq and Syria, militia attacks against U.S. forces were halted.[11]
Attacks
Al-Asad air base
On 17 October 2023, amid the Israel–Hamas war, Iraqi militants launched a drone strike on al-Asad Airbase, a United States base in northern Iraq.[36][37] The airstrike was intercepted.[38] The next day, a false alarm in the airbase caused the death of a civilian contractor from cardiac arrest.[28] On 20 October, the US ordered all non-emergency staff to leave their embassy in Baghdad and consulate in Erbil.[39] On 20 November, eight US and coalition soldiers were injured from a ballistic missile attack, and there was minor infrastructural damage after the air base was attacked by a ballistic missile.[40]
On 20 January 2024, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq claimed responsibility for striking the base with dozens of missiles which injured several US military personnel and an Iraqi service member.[41][42] At 6:30 p.m. Baghdad time, the IRI launched multiple ballistic missiles and other rockets at the Al-Asad Airbase. The United States military attempted to defend the base with Patriot missiles. More than 15 MIM-104 Patriot missiles were launched to defend the base.[43]
Iraqi government response
On 5 January 2024, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' Al Sudani announced that the Iraqi government would begin a process towards the removal of the U.S.-led international military coalition following the American drone strike on Baghdad which assassinated Mushtaq Talib al-Saidi.[78] After the 23 January 2024 US attacks in Iraq, the US and Iraqi government agreed to begin talks on the future of the US military presence in Iraq, including discussions on the feasibility of a complete US military withdrawal from Iraq.[79]
On 30 January, Kata'ib Hezbollah announced the suspension of all its military operations against US forces in the region after the Tower 22 drone attack which killed 3 US soldiers and injured 47 others. They announced this decision was taken out of preventing "embarrassment" of the Iraqi government which has called for all resistance parties to de-escalate the situation.[80]
On March 22, Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein met with Jake Sullivan, the National Security Advisor to the US President, during his trip to the United States.[81] On 23 March, it was announced that Iraqi PM al-Sudani will visit the White House in Washington DC on 15 April to hold formal talks about reducing the presence of the U.S.-led military coalition in Iraq.[82]
Developments
On 1 April 2024, Abu Ali al-Askari, security chief of Kata'ib Hezbollah based in Iraq, said the organisation was prepared to arm "Islamic Resistance" in Jordan and is ready to provide "12,000 fighters with light and medium weapons, anti-armor launchers, tactical missiles, millions of rounds of ammunition, and tons of explosives" to "defend the Palestinians and avenge the honour of Muslims." On the same day, al-Tanf garrison in Syria was attacked by a one-way attack drone which was intercepted.[83]