Iraq launches investigation after drone attacks damage military radar systems

 

PM Al-Sudani condemns cowardly drone attacks on Iraqi bases

Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani on Tuesday (June 24, 2025) condemned the recent suicide drone attacks on Iraqi military bases as a “treacherous and cowardly aggression,” and stated he has ordered a comprehensive investigation to uncover the perpetrators.

Speaking at a cabinet session, Al-Sudani confirmed the attacks caused damage to radar systems at Al-Taji and Imam Ali (Dhi Qar) bases. He praised Iraqi armed forces and air defenses for their rapid response in thwarting other attacks by shooting down aggressor drones.

Addressing the recent regional ceasefire between Iran and Israel, the Prime Minister stated, “We hope the ceasefire agreement will be strong and cohesive, not fragile.” He reiterated Iraq’s initial condemnation of the aggression that sparked the conflict, emphasizing that his government’s handling of the crisis prioritized the interests of the Iraqi people.

“Iraq was not in a position of weakness and will not be,” Al-Sudani affirmed, adding that “we will not be lenient with any internal or external act to harm our security.” He also noted that the government has a comprehensive plan to upgrade its air defense systems with modern technology. The Prime Minister concluded by thanking national political forces for supporting the government’s approach.

Iraq will investigate suicide drone attacks on radar systems at two military bases, Sabah al-Numan, the military spokesman for the Iraqi prime minister, said on Tuesday, adding that Iraqi forces intercepted several other attempted incursions.

“Several small suicide drones targeted multiple Iraqi military sites and bases,” according to the spokesman. No casualties were reported.

No one has claimed responsibility for the attacks, and the government has not yet identified any perpetrators.

Numan described the attacks as “cowardly and treacherous”.

“The assault severely damaged radar systems at Camp Taji, north of Baghdad, and Imam Ali Base in Dhi Qar Province” in southern Iraq, he added.

Iraqi forces also thwarted other attacks against “four additional sites across various locations”, Numan said, adding that the drones were downed “before they could reach their intended targets”.

Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani ordered the formation of “a high-level” committee to investigate the attacks and identify the perpetrators.

Earlier, a security source, requesting anonymity, told AFP that the first attack hit a radar system at the Taji base, and a few hours later, another drone struck the radars at the Imam Ali airbase in Dhi Qar.

A drone fell in the Radwaniya district, 10 kilometres west of Baghdad International Airport, the source said, where United States troops are deployed in a base as part of an anti-jihadist coalition.

No claim

The unidentified drone strikes came hours after Iran launched missiles at a US military facility in Qatar in retaliation for the US bombing of Tehran’s nuclear facilities.

Following the Qatar attack, Israel said it had agreed to US President Donald Trump’s proposal for a ceasefire, and Baghdad announced the reopening of its airspace, 12 days after closing it amid the Iran-Israel war.

Security sources who confirmed the drone attacks to AFP could not name any perpetrators.

A source close to the Iran-backed Iraqi factions, who had in previous years hit bases hosting US troops, told AFP that “of course” the groups have nothing to do with the drone attacks. Another source from the factions suggested Israel and the US might be behind them.

A senior security official said, “We don’t know yet if the drones were launched from inside or outside Iraq.”

Iraq, which has for years navigated a delicate balancing act between its allies, Tehran and Washington, has long been a fertile ground for proxy battles.

Since the start of the Iran-Israel war, Baghdad has worked to prevent the violence from spreading onto its turf, especially due to growing fears over possible intervention by Iran-backed armed factions, who have threatened Washington’s interests should it join Israel’s campaign.

Iraq has only recently regained a semblance of stability after decades of devastating conflicts and turmoil.

Drone attack targets Taji military base north of Iraqi capital

There are no casualties in the attack, further details will be announced

ISTANBUL

A drone attack targeted a section of the Taji military base operated by the Iraqi army north of the capital Baghdad, authorities said Tuesday.

Lieutenant General Walid al-Tamimi, head of Baghdad Operations Command, told Iraq’s official news agency INA that an unidentified drone struck a location inside the base.

He confirmed that there were no casualties in the attack and noted that further details will be announced at a later time.

Some local media outlets claimed that the drone targeted a French-made radar system stationed at the base.

Previously used by the US-led international coalition forces, the base was handed over to the Iraqi army in 2020.