A source said the missile was large in size and the missile launcher was found about 50 km southeast of the base. Ain al-Asad Air Base is located in the west of Anbar province.
On the same day, some unnamed US officials revealed reuters That Washington is taking new steps to protect troops in the Middle East. The US is open to the possibility of evacuating military families to the region if necessary, an official said, but did not specify in which cases an evacuation operation would be conducted.
Currently the US has 2,500 troops in Iraq and 900 troops in Syria. Photo: Reuters
New steps to ensure security for US troops in the Middle East include increased patrols and limited access to military facilities.
Washington will also collect intelligence through drones and other reconnaissance operations, increase surveillance from observation towers at US military facilities, and strengthen security at base access points. and will increase interdiction activities against drones, rockets and missiles.
“With the increase in the number of attacks and attempted attacks on US military sites, it is important to constantly review measures to protect our forces” – told General Michael “Eric” Kurila, head of US Central Command. reuters,
General Michael “Eric” Kurila. Photo: Reuters
US forces have been continuously targeted in Iraq and Syria since the Israel-Gaza conflict began on October 7. So far, four American soldiers and five military contractors have suffered minor injuries in the attacks.
Last week, a US warship shot down more than a dozen drones and four cruise missiles launched by Iran-backed Houthi rebels (Yemen).
Senior officials in US President Joe Biden’s administration, including Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, have warned of the risk of escalating conflict from attacks on US troops in the Middle East. He also confirmed that Iran may try to escalate the Israel-Hamas conflict.
