Two days after the United States killed a top Iranian general in a drone strike, Iran-backed forces in Iraq have launched an attack on a U.S. air base in the Anbar region, wounding at least eight U.S. personnel.
The assault came in response to the targeted killing of Major General Qassem Soleimani, one of the most powerful and influential figures in Iran. The Pentagon said the strike was conducted to “deter further Iranian attack plans” and the move has been denounced in Iran, while celebrated in the U.S.
On Wednesday, the U.S. strongly condemned the attack and accused Iran of escalating tensions in the region. In a statement, Pentagon press secretary Alyssa Farah said the attack injured eight personnel and the U.S. retaliated by firing 15 missiles at five sites associated with Iranian-backed militia groups.
The Pentagon also noted that the U.S. had information that the attack was “imminent” and cordoned of the area in an effort to protect its personnel. The force at the air base consists of the 1st Armored Division Tactical Command and other U.S. allies from Iraq’s defense forces.
Iraqi officials have urged both sides to avoid escalation and resisted joining the fray, while NATO has announced that it plans to send more troops to Iraq to “assist in the security of the country”.
This incident is yet another episode in the intensifying tensions between the U.S. and Iran, and shows that the latter’s actions are driven by motives of revenge. The attack is in contradiction to Iraq’s wishes for peace and is likely to cause suffocating economic, political and security conditions for the country. The implications of this attack remain to be seen, but it is now more important than ever for Iran and the U.S. to take responsibility for their actions and exercise caution in the Middle East.
