Iraq thwarts drone attack on Balad Air Base

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – Iraqi security sources said on Saturday that the military had thwarted a drone attack on Balad Air Base near Tikrit in the central Salahuddin province.

Assaults targeting Baghdad's fortified Green Zone—where diplomatic offices including the US Embassy are located—and bases hosting US-led coalition forces—with Balad Air Base being one such facility—have increased in 2022.

The Balad facility hosts US forces and contractors and is located about 80 kilometers north of Baghdad.

The Security Media Cell, Iraq's military communications center, said that three drones approached the southern perimeter of Balad Air Base, noting troops guarding the sprawling facility had detected the unmanned vehicles as they got near.

The drones flew away as the security forces opened fire on them.

No party has claimed responsibility for the incident, but media platforms affiliated with the pro-Iran elements of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) indicated that the attack was carried out early this morning, targeting Lockheed Martin contractors, which maintains F-16 aircraft at Balad Air Base.

The latest assault comes two days after a rocket attack targeted the US Embassy in the Iraqi capital of Baghdad, reportedly wounding two civilians in areas close to the Green Zone.

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