Iraq Probes Drone Strikes On Bases, Blames Domestic Launches

The drone strikes damaged radar systems at Camp Taji, north of Baghdad, and Imam Ali Base in Dhi Qar province. Iraqi military spokesperson Sabah Al-Naaman stated that all drones involved in the attacks were of the same type, pointing to a single coordinating actor. The report did not name specific groups but indicated that the network behind the attacks had been identified.

The investigation followed a series of threats by Iran-backed Iraqi militias during the Israel-Iran conflict, many of which had warned of targeting U.S. bases in the region if the war escalated. Several of these militias operate under the Popular Mobilization Forces umbrella, nominally part of Iraq’s military command structure but often acting independently.

In a parallel development, drone attacks also struck oil storage facilities in Iraq’s semi-autonomous Kurdish region, temporarily halting operations and deepening Baghdad-Erbil tensions. Photos from the Sarsang district showed plumes of black smoke rising from damaged tanks, adding to concerns over the vulnerability of Iraq’s critical infrastructure.

Authorities said legal measures would be taken and the suspects referred to Iraq’s judiciary, although no timeframe was provided. The ambiguous announcement leaves open questions about whether the government will confront powerful armed factions implicated in the attacks or seek political compromise.