Iraq Condemns 'Reckless' Attacks on Bases

Supporters and members of Iraq's PMF wave flags as they march in Baghdad to condemn a US air strike in the south of the capital that killed four members of the Hashed, on July 31, 2024. (AFP)
Supporters and members of Iraq's PMF wave flags as they march in Baghdad to condemn a US air strike in the south of the capital that killed four members of the Hashed, on July 31, 2024. (AFP)
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Iraq Condemns 'Reckless' Attacks on Bases

Supporters and members of Iraq's PMF wave flags as they march in Baghdad to condemn a US air strike in the south of the capital that killed four members of the Hashed, on July 31, 2024. (AFP)
Supporters and members of Iraq's PMF wave flags as they march in Baghdad to condemn a US air strike in the south of the capital that killed four members of the Hashed, on July 31, 2024. (AFP)

Iraq's military condemned on Tuesday "reckless" actions against bases on its soil and said it had captured a truck with a rocket launcher a day after at least five US personnel were wounded in an attack amid an escalation of Middle East conflict.

The region is on edge over the Gaza war and possible reprisals by Iran and its allies after the killing of senior members of militant groups Hamas and Hezbollah.

"We reject all reckless actions and practices targeting Iraqi bases, diplomatic missions, and the whereabouts of the international coalition's advisers, and everything that would raise tension in the region," the Iraqi military statement said.

The military did not confirm US personnel were injured, as US officials told Reuters, but did say two rockets were fired on Monday at Ain al-Asad air base in western Iraq from the nearby town of Haditha.

A small truck was seized with a rocket launcher fixed on the back. Eight unfired rockets were dismantled, the statement said.

"The formations in our security forces, through intelligence and security work, have obtained important information about the perpetrators of this attack against Ain al-Asad, and they are currently being pursued to bring them to justice," the statement added, without giving more details.

A rare ally of both the US and Iran, Iraq hosts 2,500 US troops and has Iran-backed militias linked to its security forces. It has witnessed escalating tit-for-tat attacks since the Israel-Hamas war erupted in October.



Biden Speaks to Leaders of Qatar, Egypt on Mideast Tensions, Ceasefire

US President Joe Biden speaks to reporters at the South Lawn of the White House before departing on travel to Wilmington, Delaware in Washington, US, August 2, 2024. (Reuters)
US President Joe Biden speaks to reporters at the South Lawn of the White House before departing on travel to Wilmington, Delaware in Washington, US, August 2, 2024. (Reuters)
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Biden Speaks to Leaders of Qatar, Egypt on Mideast Tensions, Ceasefire

US President Joe Biden speaks to reporters at the South Lawn of the White House before departing on travel to Wilmington, Delaware in Washington, US, August 2, 2024. (Reuters)
US President Joe Biden speaks to reporters at the South Lawn of the White House before departing on travel to Wilmington, Delaware in Washington, US, August 2, 2024. (Reuters)

US President Joe Biden spoke with the leaders of Qatar and Egypt on Tuesday to discuss efforts to de-escalate tensions in the region and bring a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal, the White House said.

The region is on edge over the Gaza war and possible reprisals by Iran and its allies after the killing of senior members of militant groups Hamas and Hezbollah.

Iran-backed Hezbollah vowed to avenge the killing of top military commander Fuad Shukr, who was killed in an Israeli strike in Beirut last week.

Iran has also vowed to retaliate to the assassination in Tehran last week of Ismail Haniyeh, head of Palestinian group Hamas.

The strike that killed Shukr on July 30 was the second time Israel had struck Beirut’s southern suburbs in 10 months of hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli that are taking place in parallel with the war in Gaza between Israel and Hamas.