By An explosion targeted a site used by the U.S. military adjacent to Baghdad International Airport late Tuesday, Iraqi security officials reported. The incident occurred just one day before the anticipated first official foreign visit of Iran’s newly elected President Masoud Pezeshkian to Baghdad.
Iraq’s security media cell released a statement confirming that an explosion was heard at approximately 11 p.m. local time in an area of the airport utilized by advisers to the U.S.-led international coalition. The statement noted that Iraqi security forces were unable to immediately determine the “type or causes of the explosion,” and that no group had claimed responsibility for the incident.
“The explosion is currently under investigation,” the statement read, adding that civilian air traffic continued to operate normally despite the security breach.
An Iraqi security official stationed at the airport, speaking on condition of anonymity due to lack of authorization to discuss the matter publicly, told the Associated Press that officials preparing for Pezeshkian’s visit heard “the sound of two strong strikes.” The official suggested that these appeared to target a logistics support site for the coalition forces.
As of early Wednesday, there were no immediate reports of damages or casualties resulting from the explosion. U.S. officials had not yet responded to requests for comment on the incident.
The timing of the explosion, occurring on the eve of the Iranian president’s visit, has raised concerns about regional tensions. Over the past 11 months, Iranian-backed Iraqi militias have periodically targeted bases housing U.S. forces in Iraq, claiming these strikes were in retaliation for Washington’s support of Israel in the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
However, Kataib Hezbollah, one of the prominent Iranian-backed militias in Iraq, appeared to distance itself from Tuesday night’s attack. Jaafar al-Husseini, the group’s spokesperson, released a statement suggesting that the targeting of the airport was “carried out by suspicious hands, and its aim is to disrupt the Iranian president’s visit to Baghdad.”
The incident underscores the complex security situation in Iraq, where U.S. military presence continues to be a contentious issue. It also highlights the delicate balance Iraq must maintain in its relations with both Iran and the United States, especially as it prepares to host the Iranian president.
President Pezeshkian’s planned visit to Baghdad would mark his first official trip abroad since taking office, signifying the importance of Iraq-Iran relations. The visit is expected to cover a range of bilateral issues, including security cooperation and economic ties.
As investigations into the explosion continue, Iraqi authorities face the challenge of ensuring the safety of the visiting Iranian delegation while also addressing concerns about the security of international coalition forces in the country.
The incident serves as a reminder of the ongoing volatility in the region and the potential for such events to impact diplomatic relations and regional stability. It remains to be seen how this explosion might affect the upcoming high-level talks between Iraqi and Iranian officials.
AP
