Iraqi security sources and U.S. officials revealed two separate rocket and drone attacks targeting U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria within less than 24 hours.
Near Ain al-Asad air base in Iraq’s Anbar province, two drones were intercepted as a precautionary measure. Concurrently, in northeastern Syria’s Rumalyn base, five rockets were launched from northern Iraq towards U.S. forces on Sunday.
Despite the attacks, there were no reports of casualties or significant damages. A U.S. defense official noted that Sunday’s rocket attack marked the first direct assault against U.S. troops in Iraq and Syria since February 4.
In a separate incident on Saturday, a massive explosion at an Iraqi military base resulted in the death of a member of the Iraqi security force.
Conflicting reports emerged regarding the cause of the explosion, with the force commander labeling it an attack while the army initiated an investigation. The U.S. military denied any involvement.
The recent attacks come after a hiatus in near-daily rocket and drone strikes on U.S. forces that began in mid-October.
These strikes were claimed by the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, a group of Iran-backed Shiite Muslim armed factions, citing U.S. support for Israel’s actions in Gaza.
The cessation of attacks in late January followed pressure from Iraqi authorities and Iran, following U.S. airstrikes in retaliation for earlier attacks that resulted in the deaths of three U.S. soldiers.
The resumption of violence underscores persistent regional tensions despite efforts to improve U.S.-Iraqi relations.
The U.S., which initially invaded Iraq in 2003 and withdrew in 2011 before returning in 2014 to combat the Islamic State, maintains troops in Iraq and eastern Syria for advisory and assistance missions.
