A military aircraft destroyed in a missile strike on an Iraqi base
were heard around the US diplomatic support facility near Baghdad airport, believed to have been caused by rockets fired by several armed factions.
The Iraqi Ministry of Defense stated that the Martyr Mohammed Alaa Air Base, adjacent to Baghdad International Airport, was targeted by missiles early Monday morning, resulting in the destruction of an aircraft without any human casualties. Shortly before that, explosions were heard near the US diplomatic support facility close to the airport, amid accusations that pro-Iranian armed factions were behind these attacks.
The ministry added that the relevant authorities have begun taking the necessary measures to assess the damage and track the sources of the missile launches.
Explosions were also heard around the US diplomatic support facility near Baghdad airport, while three rocket launch platforms were seized, according to Iraqi media on Monday.
The website “Iraq Today” quoted an unnamed security source as saying that a powerful explosion was heard near Baghdad International Airport, prompting a security alert among the units deployed in the area, adding that “the vicinity of the (US) diplomatic support facility near Baghdad airport was targeted.”
This facility is a vital installation affiliated with the United States Department of State, sometimes described as a logistical support base for the US embassy. The source added that forces deployed around the area to search for the location of the explosion, with no reports of human or material losses.
“Shafaq News” also quoted an unnamed security source as saying that the explosions were likely caused by a rocket attack targeting the vicinity of the international airport and the diplomatic support facility.
He added that security forces launched a search to determine the location from which the rockets were fired, which reportedly originated from the Rusafa side, east of the capital. They indeed found three launch platforms in the Jisr Diyala area on the Rusafa side.
The US Victoria Base in central Baghdad was attacked by a drone on Sunday.
On Sunday, Washington warned of potential threats from Iran or affiliated groups targeting American universities in Iraq and renewed its call for its nationals to leave the country immediately.
Regarding developments along the Iraqi-Syrian border, the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) reported on Monday, citing the operations authority of the Syrian army, that drone attacks targeted bases near the Iraqi border and that most of the drones were shot down.
The agency added, quoting the authority: “Our units were able to confront most of the drones and shoot them down… We are studying our options and will carry out an appropriate response to neutralize any threat and prevent any aggression against Syrian territory.”
It is believed that Iraqi factions loyal to Tehran are behind these attacks as part of their support for the Islamic Republic, especially after sites of the Popular Mobilization Units were targeted by attacks and strikes believed to be American.
These developments come amid the repercussions of the war waged by the United States and Israel against Iran since February 28, and Tehran’s response, whether through its army or through affiliated groups in other countries, including Iraq.
According to Tehran, the attack on Iran resulted in at least 1,500 deaths — including hundreds of children and women — among them the former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, in addition to more than 15,000 wounded and widespread destruction.
Tehran is responding by launching missiles and drones toward Israel, causing the death of at least 22 people and injuring 6,008, in addition to attacks that killed 13 American soldiers and wounded 303 others.
It is also carrying out attacks against what it describes as American bases and interests in the six Gulf Cooperation Council countries and Jordan, but these countries have stated that some of these attacks caused deaths, injuries, and damage to civilian property, calling for them to stop.
