Joint Operations Command obtains information on Ain al-Assad airbase attack perpetrators

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – On Tuesday, the Joint Operations Command announced that it had obtained information regarding those responsible for launching missiles at the Ain al-Assad base.

The command stated, "At exactly 21:00 on August 5, 2024, an attack took place on the Iraqi Ain al-Assad air base in Anbar Governorate, where several international coalition advisors are present, using two missiles launched from a truck within Haditha district. Our security forces responded immediately, seizing the truck, a Kia, which contained eight missiles out of ten that were prepared for launch. The remaining missiles were dismantled under controlled conditions by engineering squads."

The statement continued, "While we affirm our adherence to Iraq's sovereignty and independence, we categorically reject any attack from within or outside Iraq on Iraqi lands, interests, and targets. We reject all reckless actions and practices targeting Iraqi bases, diplomatic missions, and locations of international coalition advisors, which raise regional tensions, drag Iraq into dangerous situations, and harm the interests of various states."

The statement added, "Through intelligence and security efforts, our competent authorities have obtained important information about the perpetrators of this attack. They are currently being pursued to bring them to justice. In the same context, negligent persons responsible for the sector and its approaches, including leaders, commanders, and officers, will be held accountable."

The statement stressed, "We will continue to make every effort to preserve Iraq's security and stability. We will not accept that Iraqi land becomes an arena for settling scores, shuffling cards, and being dragged into the woes of wars and the repercussions of conflicts. This is our responsibility and the responsibility of all loyal people in this country."

Below is the text of the statement:

"At 2100 hours on August 5, 2024, an attack took place on the Iraqi Ain al-Assad air base in Anbar Governorate, in some sections of which a number of international coalition advisors are present, using two missiles launched from a truck from inside Haditha district.

Our security forces began to move immediately and seized the Kia truck, inside which were eight missiles out of ten that were prepared for launch. They were dismantled under control by the engineering processing squads.

While we affirm our adherence to the sovereignty and independence of Iraq, and categorically reject any aggression from within or outside Iraq, on Iraqi lands, interests, and targets, and from any party that carries out this aggression or violation or assists in it in one way or another, we reject all reckless actions and practices that target Iraqi bases, diplomatic missions, and locations of advisors to the international coalition, and everything that would raise tension in the region, or drag Iraq into dangerous situations and repercussions, or harm the interests of various states.

The competent authorities and formations in our security forces, through intelligence and security work, have obtained important information about the perpetrators of this attack, and they are currently being pursued to bring them to justice. In the same context, the negligent persons responsible for the sector and its approaches, including the leaders, commanders, and officers, will be held accountable.

We reiterate our commitment to making every effort to preserve Iraq's security and stability. We will not accept that Iraqi territory becomes an arena for settling scores, shuffling cards, and being dragged into the woes of wars and the repercussions of conflicts. This is our responsibility and the responsibility of all loyal people in this country.

Joint Operations Command
Security Media Cell
August 6, 2024"