Missile strike hits Iraqi airbase near Baghdad, aircraft destroyed

Early Monday morning, rockets struck an airbase near Baghdad International Airport, destroying an aircraft but causing no injuries, Iraq’s Ministry of Defence said in a Facebook post, cited by Caliber.Az.

“At 01:55 a.m., the Shahid Mohammad Alaa base was targeted by 122mm GRAD multiple rocket launchers fired from the outskirts of Baghdad. An Antonov-132 aircraft belonging to the Iraqi Air Force was destroyed in the attack, with no human casualties reported. Relevant authorities have begun assessing the damage and tracking the origin of the rocket fire,” the ministry said.

The ministry added: “We will not allow impunity for anyone who dares to threaten the safety and sovereignty of Iraq. We assure our dear people that these actions will not affect the combat readiness of our forces. Any retaliatory measures will be decisive, conducted within the law, and aimed at maintaining the security and stability of the country. Iraq will remain impervious to any attempts at attacks or sabotage.”

Officials are currently assessing the damage and investigating the source of the strike.