From the Liveblog of
Wednesday, July 31, 2024
US says it struck Iraqi base, claims self defense
The United States carried out a strike in Iraq in self-defense, a US official tells Reuters, after blasts inside a base south of Baghdad used by Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces killed four members of the official state security agency, which contains several Iran-aligned armed groups, and wounded four others.
The official, who speaks on the condition of anonymity, says the strike was carried out because of a threat to US-led coalition forces.
Blasts at Iraq PMF Security Agency Base South of Baghdad Kill 3 Members, Sources Say https://t.co/mIQLueshIp#Iraq #USA #PENTAGON #Militias pic.twitter.com/mUQ7NCTuOo
— Ahmed Rasheed (@Ahmed_Rasheed_R) July 30, 2024
The attack came days after an umbrella group of Iran-backed Iraqi militias dubbed “the Islamic Resistance” resumed rocket attacks on US military bases in the country and in eastern Syria.
Multiple rockets were launched at Iraq’s Ain al-Asad airbase housing US-led forces late on Thursday, US and Iraqi sources said, with no damage or casualties reported.
In a statement, the PMF says rockets fired by drones targeted two patrols for force in the town of Jurf al-Sakhar, just south of Baghdad.
The Times of Israel Community.