SULAIMANI (ESTA) — The U.S.-led Coalition “no longer” has its own bases in Iraq, an official said on Tuesday, hours after Iraq’s Ain Al-Asad air base was targeted by two drones.
Earlier, Iraq’s military said two drones were shot down by the defense system at Ain al-Asad air base in Anbar province.
There were no casualties or damages due to the attack, it said in a statement.
A Coalition official told Esta Media Network that two fixed-wing drones rigged with explosives were destroyed by defensive capabilities at the base.
“The attempted attack was unsuccessful, and all forces are accounted for,” the official said.
The official added that the coalition forces, which has ended their combat mission in Iraq, maintain “the inherent right of self-defense”.
“These are attacks against Iraqi installations, and an attack against the Iraqi people and the military that protects them,” the official said.
“We maintain a minimal footprint on Iraqi bases–the Coalition no longer has its own bases in Iraq.”
The attack came just one day after two other explosive-laden drones were shot down by the C-RAM defense system at Baghdad airport.
The attacks coincided with the second anniversary of the killing of Iranian general Qasem Soleimani and Hashid al-Shaabi commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis.
Soleimani and Muhandis were killed in a drone strike near Baghdad airport ordered by then-U.S. president Donald Trump two years ago.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attacks. Armed groups that some Iraqi officials say are backed by Iran have claimed responsibility for similar incidents in the past.
Footage provided by a coalition official showed what the official said was debris of two fixed-wing drones destroyed in the attack, with writing clearly visible on the wing of one drone reading “Soleimani’s revenge”.
