Iraq Issues Order to Pursue Perpetrators of Attacks on International Coalition Military Bases

On Monday, October 23, the spokesperson for the Iraqi army stated that Prime Minister Mohammed Shudani has ordered security forces to pursue those responsible for attacks on military bases housing international coalition advisors. This directive was issued following a recent increase in missile and drone attacks against military bases in Iraq that host American and other international forces. According to Reuters, Shudani, who is also the Commander-in-Chief of the Iraqi Armed Forces, stated, "Attacks targeting Iraqi bases where international coalition advisors are stationed are unacceptable. They are here at the invitation of the Iraqi government." In less than a week, three military bases, including Ain al-Asad in western Iraq, a military base near Baghdad International Airport, and a base in the Harir area of Erbil in northern Iraq, were targeted by drones and Katyusha rockets. Iraqi security officials say the Prime Minister's order aims to intensify "preventive security measures" to prevent further attacks on the three military bases hosting American and other international forces. Armed Iraqi groups supported by the Islamic Republic have threatened that if Washington intervenes to support Israel against Hamas in Gaza, they will target American interests with missiles and drones. Since the outbreak of the war between Israel and Hamas militants supported by the Islamic Republic in Gaza, attacks against American forces in Iraq and Syria have increased. The United States has 2,500 troops in Iraq and over 900 troops in Syria, whose mission is to advise and assist local forces in combating the Islamic State, which captured parts of both countries in 2014. The U.S. State Department issued a security warning on Sunday, instructing non-essential personnel at its embassy in Baghdad and its consulate in Erbil to leave Iraq due to "increased security threats against U.S. personnel and interests." The department also raised its travel advisory to Level 4, the highest possible level, warning American citizens not to travel to Iraq. This directive coincides with U.S. efforts to bolster deterrent forces in the region and the Islamic Republic's proxy forces. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated in an NBC interview on Sunday that there is tension from the Islamic Republic, but "if the Islamic Republic's proxy forces attack U.S. interests in the region, they will face a decisive response." The U.S. and U.K. embassies in Beirut also issued similar advisories last Thursday, recommending their citizens leave Lebanon due to escalating border tensions between Israel and Hezbollah until flights are "available."