After the Islamic Resistance in Iraq declared its attack on the US' Ain al-Assad base in the western part of the country last Saturday, and following Mahdi al-Kaabi's statement to Al Mayadeen as a member of the al-Nujaba Movement, Al Mayadeen's security and military affairs analyst, Charles Abi Nader, elaborated on the importance of this strike and its military and strategic consequences.

In this regard, Abi Nader stated that so far, three types of rockets have appeared in the operations of the Iraqi Resistance, the Sarim, Aqsa 1, and al-Arqab rockets. However, Abi Nader emphasized that "it was not clear which rockets targeted the base."

According to the analyst, these three missiles are all modern ballistic missiles that can surpass air defense systems, and cover medium to long-range distances of 500 to 700 kilometers.

According to Abi Nader, the data indicates that a large salvo of around 40 missiles was launched, and a significant portion of them reached the base, with the acknowledgment of American officials of injuries resulting from the targeting.

Regarding the military dimension, Abi Nader stated, "In the military dimension, today we are talking about the beginning of a qualitative shift toward the effective targeting of American bases in Iraq and Syria," emphasizing that this can evolve further in terms of the number of bases targeted and the effectiveness of the targeting resulting in a higher number of casualties.

Regarding the most critical aspect at the strategic level, as outlined by Abi Nader, there has been an escalation in the exertion of pressure on the US and the international community to halt the Israeli genocidal war against Palestine's Gaza Strip.

Al-Nujaba official speaks to Al Mayadeen

It is noted that al-Kaabi, on Saturday, told Al Mayadeen that the Resistance used extremely powerful and fast missiles to target the US-occupied Ain al-Assad base.

Al-Kaabi added that with this strike, the Resistance sent a strong message to the US occupation forces, as Washington continues to support and back the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip.

The Resistance official added that the usage of new missiles, different from those previously utilized to target occupation bases across Syria and Iraq, is evidence that a new stockpile of weapons, including tactical weapons, has now been put in service as part of the battle. Al-Kaabi stressed: "There must be surprises in this war."

Regarding the ceasefire, al-Kaabi clarified that the Islamic Resistance in Iraq refused any negotiations about a ceasefire and halting attacks on American bases, confirming that the primary condition for any ceasefire is stopping the Israeli aggression on Gaza.

The American presence in Iraq constitutes a threat to neighboring countries, according to al-Kaabi, and as such, "If war is imposed on us, it is inevitable that we will confront it."

US troops injured in attack

Reuters, citing an unnamed US official, reported that US personnel suffered injuries as a result of Saturday's attack on Iraq's Ain al-Assad air base Saturday.

The official who spoke on condition of anonymity told Reuters that the initial report is based on preliminary data and is subject to change, as the US forces assess their losses.

Importantly, the official said the initial reports indicate that the base was hit by several ballistic missiles, but left open the possibility that the base was hit by rockets.

Later, US Central Command confirmed that multiple ballistic missiles and rockets were launched in Western Iraq targeting the Ain al-Assad air base, adding that "a number of US personnel are undergoing evaluation for traumatic brain injuries," while "at least one Iraqi service member was wounded."

Iranian-backed Militants Attack Al-Assad Airbase, Iraq

At approximately 6:30 p.m. (Baghdad time) time Jan. 20, multiple ballistic missiles and rockets were launched by Iranian-backed militants in Western Iraq targeting al-Assad Airbase. Most of the missiles were intercepted by… pic.twitter.com/rYaNrRdRtu

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) January 20, 2024

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