US Base in Baghdad Airport Attacked Ahead of Iranian President's Visit
Details of the Attack
Late on Tuesday, the logistical support center of the US embassy at Baghdad International Airport was attacked. An Iraqi security source informed Sputnik that the shelling's nature is yet to be determined, whether it was by missiles or mortar shells. The attack took place near the US embassy's logistical support headquarters at the airport. There is currently no information about any casualties.
According to a security source who spoke to Shafaq news agency on Wednesday, the strike, possibly involving rockets or mortars, also affected areas near the Anti-Terrorism Agency's headquarters.
Attack Precedes Iranian President's Visit
This attack on the logistical center at Baghdad airport occurred just hours before the arrival of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in Iraq. Later on Wednesday, Pezeshkian held meetings with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani and Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid.
A spokesperson for the Kataib Hezbollah resistance faction, Jaafar al-Husseini, labeled the timing of the attack as "suspicious." He suggested that the motive behind the attack was to disrupt the Iranian president's visit to Baghdad and called on Iraqi security forces to identify those responsible.
Background of Resistance Factions and Attacks
Iraqi resistance factions united following the start of the war in Gaza in October, forming a coalition known as the Islamic Resistance in Iraq (IRI). These groups began conducting drone and rocket attacks on US bases in Iraq and Syria, both in solidarity with the Palestinian resistance and to pressure US forces present in Iraq.
These operations officially ceased in January after a drone attack resulted in the death of three US soldiers on the Jordan–Syria border. This cessation came after intense pressure from the Iraqi government, which has been involved in a diplomatic effort with Washington over the past two years, reportedly aimed at the withdrawal of US forces from Iraq. Iran is also said to have played a role in encouraging the Iraqi resistance to de-escalate.
However, with the continuing war in Gaza and stalled troop withdrawal talks between Baghdad and Washington, these attacks have seen a gradual and unofficial resumption in recent months.
Recent Attacks and Future Plans
On August 10th, a drone attack on the Kharab al-Jir base in northeastern Syria injured several US and coalition personnel. There were also a few attacks on US bases in Iraq and Syria in late July.
Iran's President Pezeshkian's first foreign trip was to Iraq, a three-day visit to several cities representing Iran’s political, religious, economic, and security interests in Iraq.
Despite the attacks, Washington has shown no intention of withdrawing its forces from Iraq. The negotiations have not focused on an actual pullout of US forces but rather on ending the combat role of the US coalition operating in Iraq. This would transition their presence into an advisory one, with US forces remaining in Iraq to coordinate with Baghdad on security matters.
On Saturday, Reuters reported, citing sources, that Baghdad and Washington have agreed on a late 2026 deadline for US troop withdrawal. However, The Cradle’s Iraq correspondent refuted the report as false.
Bottom Line
The recent attack on the US base in Baghdad airport raises questions about the timing and motive behind it, especially considering it occurred just hours before the Iranian President's visit to Iraq. As the situation continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how this affects the ongoing negotiations between Baghdad and Washington regarding the presence of US troops in Iraq. What are your thoughts on this matter? Feel free to share this article with your friends and discuss it. Don't forget to sign up for the Daily Briefing, which is delivered every day at 6pm.
