CENTCOM Confirms Attack by Iranian-Backed Militias on Ain al-Asad Base in Iraq

The U.S. Central Command, CENTCOM, confirmed that around 6:30 PM on Saturday, January 20, Baghdad time, several ballistic missiles and rockets were fired by militias supported by the Iranian government towards Ain al-Asad Air Base. CENTCOM stated in its announcement that most of the missiles were intercepted by the base's air defense, but some missiles hit the base, resulting in several American personnel likely suffering from brain injuries and at least one Iraqi soldier being wounded. Reuters reported hours earlier, citing an American official, that the attack involved 'ballistic missiles' or 'rockets' targeting the U.S. base in Ain al-Asad, and according to initial assessments, several American personnel sustained 'minor injuries' during the attack. At the same time, media affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) released images of the 'rocket attacks' by militias linked to the Islamic Republic on the Ain al-Asad base in Iraq. Following the terrorist attack by Hamas on Israel on October 7 and the subsequent Israeli invasion of Gaza aimed at destroying this Iran-backed group, the frequency and intensity of attacks by Iranian proxy groups on American and Israeli targets have significantly increased. The attack on Ain al-Asad base in Iraq resulted in several American personnel sustaining 'minor injuries.' Five members of the IRGC were killed in an attack in Damascus; the deputy intelligence chief of the Quds Force was among the casualties. Reuters: The Islamic Republic and Hezbollah are assisting the Houthis in the Red Sea attacks. Amir-Abdollahian denied the death of a child in the IRGC attack in Erbil, Iraq.