Central Command said that a number of American personnel were being evaluated for traumatic brain injuries, and at least one Iraqi soldier was injured, adding that “damage assessments are continuing.” Reuters reported that US forces suffered “minor injuries” in the attack. The Defense Department referred The Washington Post on Sunday to Central Command, which did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an alliance that includes factions linked to Iran, claimed responsibility for the attack on Ain al-Assad. The group said in a statement on Saturday that the strike was part of its broader resistance against the continued presence of US forces in Iraq and in response to Israeli actions in Gaza.
The attack comes amid a broader increase in strikes against US forces stationed in Iraq and Syria in response to Washington's support for Israel and its military operation in Gaza, which the Strip's health ministry said has killed more than 25,000 people and injured more than 62,600 others.
The war has raised concerns about its regional spread affecting countries including Yemen, Lebanon, Iran and Pakistan – and about 2,500 US troops deployed in Iraq as part of efforts to combat the ISIS terrorist group. There have been more than 130 attacks on US forces in Iraq and Syria by Iranian-backed militant groups since October 17, according to the Pentagon.
These attacks have thrust the government of Iraqi Prime Minister Muhammad Shia al-Sudani into the middle of growing tensions between Tehran and Washington. They also indicate that the informal détente with Iran-linked Iraqi militants — who have halted attacks on American targets that began after President Donald Trump withdrew from the landmark nuclear deal with Iran in 2018 — has come to an end. The cessation of strikes on bases hosting US forces began in October 2022 with the appointment of Al-Sudani, and ended with the start of the war in Gaza.
After US forces carried out what the Pentagon described as a “self-defense” strike in Baghdad targeting the leader of an Iranian-backed militia on January 4, Al-Sudani’s office said it would take steps to expel US forces, Reuters reported. However, a few days after the raid, the Pentagon's press secretary, Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, told reporters that he was “not aware of any plans” to withdraw US forces or “any notifications by the Iraqi government to the Department of Defense.” “.
“We are there at the invitation of the Iraqi government,” Ryder said.
The wave of attacks also caused tensions between Iraq and Iran. Last week, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps fired ballistic missiles at what it said were members of the Islamic State group in Syria and a “spy headquarters” for the Israeli intelligence service Mossad in the semi-autonomous Iraqi Kurdistan region, according to statements released by the state. Media.
In response, Iraq recalled its ambassador from Tehran, and Al-Sudani described this as “an act of aggression against Iraq and a setback to the historical relationship with Iran.” Iraqi and Kurdish officials denied Iran's claims about the alleged spying site, and the Israeli Prime Minister's press office declined to comment.
Earlier on Saturday, an explosion in the Syrian capital killed five Iranian military advisors, according to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, which accused Israel of invading Damascus.
When asked about the raid in Damascus, the Israeli army said that it does not comment on foreign reports. Iranian state media reported that Tehran described the strike as a “desperate attempt to spread instability” in the region and said it had the right to respond.
The Iranian Revolutionary Guard said that the attack was carried out by “combat aircraft” and that “a number of Syrian forces” were among those killed.
Video of the aftermath on Saturday showed smoke rising over the city. Syrian official media said that the explosion hit a residential building in the Mezzeh neighborhood, west of Damascus, where diplomatic missions and relief agencies are located.
Kyle Melnick and Neha Masih contributed to this report.
