US eyes new military base in Iraq's oil-rich region: Sources
The media suggest that the US chose Al-Jazira area to construct its military bases due to its large oil and gas fields.
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An aerial file photo taken from a helicopter shows Ain Al-Assad air base in the western Al-Anbar desert, Iraq, December 29, 2019 (AP)
The United States is widely monitoring one of the western regions of Iraq's Al-Anbar to build its second military base in the province after the Ain Al-Assad base, an Iraqi security source revealed, as cited by local media outlets.
The media suggested that the US chose Al-Jazira area to construct its military bases due to its large oil and gas fields, as well as other mines.
According to the reports, the area is one of Iraq's completely safe regions and has not witnessed any attacks for a long time.
Informed Iraqi sources had previously revealed that the US occupation forces are not planning to withdraw from Iraq and are attempting to expand the Ain Al-Assad base by obtaining lands around it.
An expert on Iraqi security issues had previously pointed out that the continued presence of the US occupation troops in Iraq is aimed at supporting Washington's interests and backing terrorism.
It is noteworthy that Iranian officials have repeatedly underlined that Iran's goal to expel US troops from the region will continue until achieved.
Major General Mohammad Hossein Bagheri, the chief of staff of Iran's Armed Forces, had warned that Iran's January 8, 2022, missile attack on Ain Al-Assad base, which came a few days after the martyrdom of General Qassem Soleimani by the US, was just the beginning.
Bagheri noted that the Ain Al-Assad base, the biggest US occupation base in Iraq, was known as one of the planning bases for the assassination of General Soleimani.
