Pro-Iran group claims attack on Turkey's base in northern Iraq
The so-called Bashiqa base, which has long been a source of tension between Ankara and Baghdad, is a frequent target of rocket attacks by pro-Iranian groups in Iraq.
Series of rockets targeted a Turkish military base near the northeastern Iraqi city of Mosul on Wednesday, prompting retaliation from the Turkish side. A pro-Iranian group claimed responsibility but no casualties were reported.
Iraqi authorities said the attackers fired eight rockets shortly before 8 a.m. local time at the Bashiqa military base. Two of the rockets struck the base grounds and the others landed in the vicinity of the base, according to a Facebook post by Iraqi Kurdistan’s counter-terrorism department.
The Iraqi and international media reported that a pro-Iranian group claimed responsibility for the attack. Northern Iraqi news outlet Rudaw identified the group as The Islamic Resistance Ahrar al-Iraq Brigade. The group claimed to have fired 20 rockets at the base, Rudaw reported, citing the militant group's statement released on a Telegram account.
The group is part of Iraq’s pro-government and operates under Iran-backed Popular Mobilization Forces (PMU).
