Fearing New Ops, US Missile Military Systems Now Operating in Iraq  

By Staff, Agencies

US officials announced on Saturday that new air military systems are now deployed to “protect American and allied forces at military bases in Iraq where troops have been attacked.”

“Patriot missile launchers and two other short-range systems are now in place at al-Asad Air Base,” said officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive weapons movement. A short-range rocket military system was installed at Camp Taji.

The US military has been gradually moving the military systems into Iraq over the last few months to provide more protection for US occupation that has seen a series of rocket and missile operations.  

Earlier, US military leaders did not believe the systems were needed there, more than in other locations around the world where such strikes are more frequent.

The systems are now operational, as top US officials warn that threats from Popular Mobilization Forces continue.

Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said Thursday that “because of that threat, hundreds of soldiers from the 1st Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division, remain in Iraq.” 

US President Donald Trump early last week claimed that his administration has received intelligence that Iran is planning a strike. He provided no details.

Other officials in recent weeks said there had been an increase in intelligence pointing to a possible large attack. But they said this week that the threat appears to have tapered off, as countries grapple with the rapidly spreading Coronavirus.