White House: We Take Iran's Proxy Attacks on American Forces in Iraq 'Very Seriously'

A national security official from the White House stated that the United States takes the recent missile attack by Iran-affiliated militias on American bases in Iraq 'very seriously' and emphasized that 'we will hold accountable the groups that continue to attack us.' John Feiner, Deputy National Security Advisor, said in an interview on ABC's 'This Week' regarding the attack on the Ain al-Asad airbase on Saturday, 'This attack, especially with the use of ballistic missiles, was very serious and a real threat.' He further stressed that the United States will respond proportionately to this attack and hold accountable those who continue such assaults. The U.S. Central Command, CENTCOM, confirmed that around 6:30 PM Baghdad time on Saturday, several ballistic missiles and rockets were fired by Iran-backed militias towards the Ain al-Asad airbase. CENTCOM stated that most of the missiles were intercepted by the base's air defense systems, but some missiles hit the base, resulting in several American personnel likely suffering from brain injuries and at least one Iraqi soldier being wounded. Although the U.S. military reported that most of the missiles fired at the base were intercepted by air defense systems, the use of ballistic missiles indicates an escalation in the level of attacks that were previously conducted with lower-tech missiles and drones. Since mid-October, shortly after Hamas's terrorist attack on Israel and the start of the war in Gaza, dozens of attacks have occurred against approximately 2,500 American forces in Iraq and 600 soldiers in Syria, who are stationed there alongside other coalition forces to combat ISIS. The attack on Ain al-Asad airbase in Anbar province was claimed by 'Islamic Resistance of Iraq,' a coalition of armed groups linked to the Islamic Republic that opposes U.S. support for Israel in the Gaza conflict. The attack on Ain al-Asad occurred hours after Israeli airstrikes targeted a residence of Revolutionary Guard members in Damascus, Syria, resulting in the confirmed deaths of five members of this Iranian military force. Some analysts believe that the increase in missile attacks in Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, and Yemen raises concerns about the escalation of the Gaza war in the Middle East and positions the Islamic Republic and its allies against Israel and the United States. The website 'Politico' noted intelligence data indicating that the Houthis are seeking to receive more weapons from the Iranian government. Five members of the Revolutionary Guard were killed in the attack in Damascus; the deputy intelligence chief of the Quds Force was among the dead. CENTCOM confirmed the attack by Iran-backed militias on the Ain al-Asad base in Iraq. The attack on Ain al-Asad in Iraq resulted in several American personnel suffering 'minor injuries.' Reuters reported that the Islamic Republic and Hezbollah are assisting the Houthis in their attacks in the Red Sea.