Two drones launched from Iran towards Israel were intercepted and shot down over Iraqi territory by the US-led international coalition targeting the Islamic State group. This information was confirmed by two Iraqi military officials who spoke to AFP anonymously on Sunday.
The intercept occurred at the Ain al-Asad military base, a key facility in western Iraq that houses foreign troops. According to one of the officials, the drones were brought down during the early hours of Sunday after they crossed into the defensive perimeter established by the coalition. Forces stationed there are trained to engage potential threats that enter their airspace.
The downing of these drones follows a series of heightened military actions in the region. On Friday, Israel conducted extensive strikes against Iranian military and nuclear sites, as well as civilian areas, escalating tensions further. In retaliation, Iran has launched hundreds of drones and ballistic missiles towards Israel, with some ordnance landing in Iraq’s desert regions, although these incidents have not resulted in injuries.
Additionally, the coalition reported intercepting an “explosive drone” at Ain al-Asad on Friday, underscoring the ongoing volatility of the situation.
Iraq, while being a strategic ally of Tehran, also maintains a partnership with the United States, which has approximately 2,500 troops in the country as part of the coalition efforts against jihadist groups. Recent discussions between Baghdad and Washington have led to an agreement for the gradual withdrawal of these forces. By September, coalition troops are expected to leave bases in federal Iraq, including Ain al-Asad, with a complete pullout from the autonomous Kurdistan region planned by the end of 2026.
In a show of solidarity with Iran, the influential Iraqi armed group Kataeb Hezbollah issued a stern warning to the United States regarding any perceived involvement in the conflict with Israel. The group asserted that Iran is fully capable of defending itself against Israel without external assistance, and they claimed to be vigilantly observing American military movements. They added that should the U.S. intervene in the ongoing conflict, they would respond decisively against American interests and bases throughout the region.
