January 2024 al-Asad Airbase attack

January 2024 al-Assad Airbase attack
Part of the United States–Iran proxy war and regional escalation of the Israel–Hamas war
Date20 January 2024
Location
Al-Asad Airbase, Al Anbar Governorate, Iraq
Belligerents
Iraq Islamic Resistance in Iraq[1]
Backed by:
 Iran[2]		  United States[1]
 Iraq[1]
Units involved

Iran Islamic Resistance in Iraq

United States United States Armed Forces

Iraq Iraqi Armed Forces
Casualties and losses
None

One Iraqi soldier injured[1]
Multiple U.S. soldiers injured[3]

Damage to the Al-Asad Airbase[1]

On 20 January 2024, the Al-Asad Airbase in Iraq was attacked by the Islamic Resistance in Iraq.[1][3] This attack was part of the United States–Iran proxy war and is a regional escalation of Israel–Hamas war. The attack resulted in one Iraqi soldier and multiple U.S. soldiers being injured.[2] The attack also caused damage to the Al-Asad Airbase.[1]

Background

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq (IRI) are backed and supported by Iran. In October 2023, the Red Sea Crisis began between the Houthi movement and the United States. The crisis was a regional escalation of the Israel–Hamas war.[4] During the war, the IRI supported Hamas and the United States supported Israel. This led to the IRI attacking the United States military in the Middle East. The Al-Asad Airbase is a joint military base with the Iraqi military and the United States military.

Attack

At 4:30 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.[5] Some of the missiles and rockets hit the base. At least one Iraqi soldier was injured in the attack.[6] Multiple U.S. soldiers were injured in the attack as well.[4] Damage also occurred to the military base.[1][3][2]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 Schmitt, Eric; Rubin, Alissa J. (20 January 2024). "Widening Mideast Crisis U.S. Troops in Iraq Injured in Attack Linked to Iran-Backed Militias" (News article). The New York Times. Archived from the original on 20 January 2024. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Tanyos, Faris (20 January 2024). "U.S. personnel wounded in missile attack on Iraq airbase by Iranian-backed rebels" (News article). CBS News. CBS Broadcasting Inc. Archived from the original on 20 January 2024. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 United States Department of Defense (20 January 2024). "Iranian-backed Militants Attack Al-Assad Airbase, Iraq" (Post on 𝕏). 𝕏 (Formerly Twitter). United States federal government. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Seddon, Sean (20 January 2024). "US personnel injured in missile attack on Al Asad airbase in Iraq" (News article). British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). Archived from the original on 21 January 2024. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
  5. ↑ Tomlinson, Lucas (20 January 2024). "Over 15 U.S. Patriot surface-to-air missiles fired from al-Asad air base in Iraq to intercept incoming Iranian missiles" (Post on 𝕏). 𝕏 (Formerly Twitter). Fox News. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
  6. ↑ Bowman, Emma; Bowman, Tom (20 January 2024). "U.S. personnel are injured after Iranian-backed militants attacked an Iraq air base" (News article). National Public Radio (NPR). Archived from the original on 21 January 2024. Retrieved 21 January 2024.