Tensions Rise as Rockets Fired at US-led Coalition Base in Syria
Late Sunday night, rockets were fired from northern Iraq at a military base in Syria housing a US-led coalition, according to Iraqi security forces. In response, a major search operation was launched in northern Nineveh province, where the vehicle used in the attack was found. This incident marks the first major attack against coalition forces in several weeks and comes amidst escalating tensions in the region.
The Iraqi security forces released a statement accusing “outlaw elements” of targeting a base of the international coalition with rockets in Syrian territory. The attack took place at around 9:50 p.m. (1850 GMT), and the security forces took swift action by burning the vehicle involved in the attack. Rami Abdel Rahman, director of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor, confirmed that several rockets were fired from Iraqi territory at the Kharab Al-Jir base in northeast Syria, where US forces are stationed.
The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, a loose alliance of Iran-backed groups, has been identified as the likely perpetrators of the attack. This group has claimed responsibility for most of the recent attacks on US forces deployed in the Middle East. The attacks are believed to be in solidarity with Palestinians and fueled by anger at US support for Israel during the Gaza war.
The United States has approximately 2,500 soldiers stationed in Iraq and nearly 900 across the border in Syria as part of an international coalition formed in 2014 to combat the Daesh group (IS). Following a series of rocket attacks and drone strikes by pro-Iran armed factions against US soldiers over the winter, there had been a period of relative calm. However, tensions have once again escalated with this latest rocket attack.
The incident comes against the backdrop of increasing tension in the region, particularly between Iran and Israel. Just days before this attack, an explosion at an Iraqi military base resulted in one fatality and eight injuries. The blast occurred at the Kalsu military base in Babylon province, where regular army, police, and members of Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces are stationed. CENTCOM, the US military command in the region, denied involvement in the strike, while the Israeli army declined to comment on the matter.
As tensions continue to rise in the Middle East, it is crucial for all parties involved to exercise restraint and prioritize diplomatic solutions to avoid further escalation of conflict. The international community must work together to promote peace and stability in the region and prevent any actions that could lead to further violence and instability.