Iraqi Militias Launch Drone Strikes on US Base in Eastern Syria

A patrol of American soldiers on December 12 on the outskirts of Rumailan in Hasakah, northeastern Syria, which the Kurds control. (AFP)
A patrol of American soldiers on December 12 on the outskirts of Rumailan in Hasakah, northeastern Syria, which the Kurds control. (AFP)
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Iraqi Militias Launch Drone Strikes on US Base in Eastern Syria

A patrol of American soldiers on December 12 on the outskirts of Rumailan in Hasakah, northeastern Syria, which the Kurds control. (AFP)
A patrol of American soldiers on December 12 on the outskirts of Rumailan in Hasakah, northeastern Syria, which the Kurds control. (AFP)

A group calling itself the "Islamic Resistance in Iraq" launched drone strikes on the US Rumailan base in Syria’s Hasakah after 25 militants were killed in Israeli airstrikes against alleged pro-Iran militia sites.

The militia revealed in a statement that the attack was in response to "Israeli massacres against the people in Gaza" and as part of its "resistance against the US occupation in Iraq and the region."

Iranian-backed groups have launched over 100 attacks on US military bases in Iraq and Syria.

Explosions were heard at the American Kharab Al-Jir base in Rumailan countryside, eastern Syria, as a result of an attack with two successive batches of drones and missiles.

The American forces downed some of the drones; however, no causalities were reported as fighter jets of the international coalition to combat ISIS flew over the area, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR).

The Observatory documented 67 attacks against US bases in Syria since October 19.

At least 25 Iran-backed fighters were killed in air strikes on Friday night in eastern Syria, the Observatory added.

SOHR suggested that Israel may be behind the attack.

Headquartered in London, the war monitor said that the raids targeted posts of the Iranian militias in the Iranian security zone, posts in the 47th Regiment in the desert of al-Bukamal, a convoy belonging to the militias after entering the Syrian territory coming from Iraq, headquarters, a military shipment, an ammunition warehouse, and vehicles in al-Bukamal and its countryside near the Syrian-Iraqi border.

SOHR noted that Israel targeted Syrian territories 45 times since the war on Gaza in October, where it documented 28 attacks: 28 airstrikes and 17 rocket attacks by ground forces.

Those attacks destroyed 28 targets and left 77 combatants and two civilians dead.

Israel often targets sites in Syria to prevent Iran from strengthening its military presence in the region through its militias.

The US bases in SDF-controlled northeastern Syria have been targeted daily by rocket shells and drones since Israel declared war on Gaza.

There are nine US bases in Syria: one in al-Tanf, two in Deir Ezzor's countryside, and six in Hasakah.



Islamabad: 50,000 Pakistanis Are Missing in Iraq

Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala. (EPA)
Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala. (EPA)
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Islamabad: 50,000 Pakistanis Are Missing in Iraq

Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala. (EPA)
Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala. (EPA)

Pakistan’s Minister of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Chaudhry Salik Hussain sparked controversy when he revealed that 50,000 Pakistanis have gone missing in Iraq over the years.

He urged the Baghdad government to immediately launch a probe into how the Pakistanis entered Iraq to visit religious sites during the month of Muharram, he was quoted as saying by Pakistan’s Ummat newspaper.

Islamabad is investigating how people have traveled outside Pakistan through illegal means, he remarked.

The permanent committee for religious affairs and interfaith harmony has since proposed new policies for trips to holy sites in foreign countries, including Iraq.

In Iraq, the minister’s comments drew mockery and condemnation on social media and sparked renewed debate over illegal workers in the country.

Politician Mishaan al-Juburi urged the government to make a statement over Hussain’s comments, warning that they may impact security and the labor force.

Hussain’s comments coincided with Iraqi police announcing the arrest of six Pakistanis in Baghdad on charges of theft.

Previously, military intelligence also announced the arrest of a nine-member Pakistani kidnapping and extortion gang in Baghdad. The gang had kidnapped foreigners for ransom.

Meanwhile, Labor Minister Ahmed al-Asadi expressed his concern and condemnation over the increasing number of illegal workers in Iraq.

He said his ministry will investigate the disappearance of the Pakistanis.

He confirmed that several tourists, including Pakistanis, have flocked to Iraq in recent days, and many have taken up employment without the necessary legal permits.

He warned that this phenomenon is negatively impacting the national economy.

The ministry will not be lenient in taking the necessary legal measures against the violators, he vowed.

Iraq welcomes all tourists, whether they are here on a religious visit or otherwise, but they must respect local laws and regulations, declared Asadi.

Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala.