BAGHDAD, Iraq: Late Sunday, rockets were fired from northern Iraq toward a military base in Syria housing a US-led coalition, as reported by Iraqi security forces.
In response, the coalition stated that one of its fighter jets in Iraq “destroyed a launcher in self-defence” following reports of a failed rocket attack near a base in northeast Syria. No US personnel were injured during the incident.
This attack marks the first major assault against coalition forces in several weeks and follows escalating tensions in the region, notably triggered by recent developments involving Israel and Iran. Iraqi security forces launched a significant search operation in northern Nineveh province, subsequently locating the vehicle used in the attack and destroying it.
Rockets were reportedly launched from Iraqi territory towards the Kharab al-Jir base in Syria, where US forces are stationed. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights attributed the attack to the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, a coalition of groups known for targeting US forces. This group has claimed responsibility for numerous attacks on coalition forces in recent months.
Tensions have simmered in the region following previous rocket attacks and drone strikes targeting US soldiers, which prompted retaliatory strikes by the US military against militant factions in Syria and Iraq. The situation underscores ongoing geopolitical complexities and the intersection of regional conflicts.
The US-led coalition, established in 2014 to combat the Islamic State group (IS), maintains a presence in Iraq and Syria with approximately 2,500 soldiers in Iraq and nearly 900 across the border in Syria. The latest rocket attack coincides with broader tensions in the Middle East, including recent incidents involving Iran, Israel, and regional armed factions.
