An air strike hits Iraq base housing pro Iran group in the southern area of Jurf al Nasr on Tuesday according to sources in Kataeb Hezbollah. The incident came as drone attacks and cross border strikes escalated across several regions in Iraq.
The base is one of Kataeb Hezbollah’s key strongholds and has been targeted repeatedly since the outbreak of the regional conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran.
Strike targets Kataeb Hezbollah base in southern Iraq
Two members of Kataeb Hezbollah told AFP that the strike on the Jurf al Nasr base caused material damage. The location has faced multiple attacks since the early hours of the US Israeli campaign against Iran.
More than ten fighters from Iran backed factions have been killed across Iraq since Saturday. The factions deny any neutrality and have declared they are part of the Islamic Resistance in Iraq which has claimed dozens of drone operations targeting American military sites.
Escalation linked to regional conflict
Iraq has repeatedly affirmed that it does not wish to be drawn into the regional war although it has long served as a battleground for US Iran tensions. Despite official calls for restraint, attacks have expanded from southern Iraq to the Kurdistan region and around Baghdad.
Drone incidents near Baghdad International Airport
A drone was shot down on Tuesday night near Baghdad International Airport according to Iraq’s security media cell. A similar incident occurred again on Wednesday when another drone was intercepted without causing casualties or damage.
Security forces foil rocket attack
Earlier on Tuesday, Iraqi security forces seized nine rockets and a launchpad positioned to target the airport. The facility hosts a US diplomatic mission and previously stationed US led coalition forces.
Strikes hit Kurdistan region amid rising tensions
An AFP correspondent confirmed that a night strike hit Sulaimaniyah, the second largest city in the Kurdistan region. The projectile, described as either a drone or missile, landed near a former United Nations office with no casualties reported.
Additional strikes blamed on Iran
Earlier that day, Iranian linked drone attacks targeted camps hosting Iranian Kurdish fighters and families in the region according to a local official and an exiled opposition group.
AFP photographers documented damage to accommodation rooms used by medical staff inside the camp.
Kurdistan continues to experience repeated drone and missile attacks partly due to the presence of Iranian Kurdish opposition groups whom Tehran accuses of cooperating with Western or Israeli parties.
Conclusion:
The latest air strike and drone activity underscore rising security risks across Iraq as regional hostilities intensify. Iraqi authorities maintain efforts to prevent escalation though several regions continue to face cross border attacks and retaliatory operations.
