US airbase in Iraq targeted by drones in second such attack in months

The Ain al-Asad air base housing US troops in Iraq has come under a drone attack, a week ahead of an expected visit by a high-level Iraqi military delegation to Washington to continue talks on ending the American-led military coalition’s presence in the Arab country.

Several explosions were heard in the base located in the western province of Anbar after it was hit by two drones on Tuesday, according to sources, with no casualties or damage being reported.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack yet.

This is the second strike since attacks against US bases in Iraq were suspended in late January and early February.

According to a US official, two drones had been shot down near the Ain al-Asad base in April.

This is the latest in a series of attacks against US bases in Iraq and Syria that is fueled by Washington’s support for Israeli atrocities.

Many such attacks against the US forces have been claimed by groups operating under the banner of the Islamic Resistance in Iraq.

Tuesday’s attack comes at a sensitive timing ahead of negotiations in Washington next week on the future of the US-led coalition in Iraq.

Back in January, Baghdad and Washington agreed to set up a committee to start talks to set a timetable for a phased withdrawal of American forces from the Arab country.