UNAMI Warns of Escalation in Iraq, Calls for ‘Restraint’

A photo published by the US Army from the visit of Lieutenant General Abdul Amir Yarallah to the "Ain al-Assad" base

The United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) reiterated its appeal to all sides to exercise maximum restraint after an attack on Iraq's Ain al-Asad air base Saturday.
The UN mission warned that Iraq is at "risk of being drawn even further" into the conflict raging in Gaza and armed action elsewhere threatening a significant conflagration.
The head of the mission, Jeanine Plasschaert, said in a press statement on Saturday that the "Middle East is at a critical juncture, with the conflict raging in Gaza."
"Despite the Government's efforts to prevent the escalation of tensions, continued attacks - originating from within and outside of Iraq's borders - stand to undo the hard-won stability of the country and the achievements it has made in recent years."
Plasschaert warned, "Iraq's stability and security are front and center in all our engagements. We reiterate our appeal to all sides to exercise maximum restraint."
On Saturday, Ain al-Assad air base, operated by US and Iraqi forces, came under heavy bombardment.
A US official said that the attack was carried out with ballistic missiles; Iraqi security sources described them as "Grad-type missiles, but carry heavy warheads."
The missile type used in the attack can help identify the party that carried it out. Attacks carried out by the Iraqi factions during the past months recorded the usage of "Grad" and "Cruise Advanced" missiles.
Last week, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) attacked Erbil with ballistic missiles and used warheads similar to the bombing in March 2022.
Reuters quoted a US official as saying initial reports indicate that the base was bombed with ballistic missiles and perhaps other types of rockets, noting that the assessment is still ongoing.
However, Iraqi security sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that the base was struck by missiles carrying heavy warheads, denying that it was ballistic.
Telegram channels affiliated with Iraqi factions loyal to Iran reported that the attack was not carried out with ballistic missiles but rather with a salvo of Grad missiles.
The sources confirmed that the missiles were launched from inside the al-Anbar governorate, where the military base is located.
A few minutes after the attack, the International Coalition bombed the launch vehicle on al-Doulab island in Anbar, north of Ain al-Assad base.
A local Anbar police officer said the international coalition was able to down five missiles that were on their way to target the base, stressing that no casualties were recorded among the Iraqi forces.
Agence France-Presse quoted a US official as saying that the base was attacked with ten missiles, seriously wounding a member of the Iraqi security forces.
Military bases operated by US forces in Iraq and Syria were subjected to about 100 armed attacks during the past three months, most of which were carried out via explosive drones.