Drone strikes at U.S. bases in Iraq
A drone struck a U.S. military base near Baghdad on Wednesday, Iraqi media has reported, citing security sources.
The report says the attack came amid heightened regional tensions following U.S. and Israeli air strikes on Iran over the weekend, adding however, that no damage was immediately reported.
A militia aligned with Tehran claimed responsibility for a separate drone strike on a U.S. base in Erbil, in Iraq’s autonomous Kurdish region.
The group also said it targeted a hotel in the city that it alleged housed U.S. soldiers.
Iraq shares a 1,500-kilometre border with Iran, which exerts significant political, economic and military influence in the country.
Observers warned that further escalation involving Tehran could destabilise Iraq, where political tensions have persisted for years since the U.S.-led invasion toppled Saddam Hussein.
At least 11 members of militias loyal to Iran have reportedly been killed in recent days, though there has been no official confirmation.
Iraq remained in the process of forming a government months after parliamentary elections, with successive administrations in Baghdad typically seeking to balance relations with both Washington and Tehran. (dpa/NAN)
