ERBIL & ANBAR, IRAQ – The Middle East has reached a perilous tipping point following the death of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, during a joint US-Israeli operation). In a massive retaliatory wave on March 2, 2026, Iranian ballistic missiles and one-way attack drones targeted several US military installations across Iraq, leaving bases burning and the region on the brink of total war.
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In the autonomous Kurdistan region, Erbil International Airport and the nearby Al-Harir Air Base became the primary targets of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and their regional proxies.
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The Attack: Over seven volleys of missiles and drones were launched toward the city. While US air defense systems (C-RAM and Patriot batteries) successfully intercepted many projectiles, at least two missiles struck the vicinity of the airport and the US Consulate.
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Casualties: US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed that while the situation remains fluid, three American service members have been killed in the theater since the start of the escalation, with several others seriously wounded.
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Local Impact: Erbil was plunged into darkness as the Kormor gas field halted supplies to power stations as a precaution. Thick black smoke continues to rise from the airport's perimeter.
In Western Iraq, the Ain al-Asad Airbase faced a concentrated barrage of ballistic missiles. Iranian state media claimed the strike was part of "Operation Truthful Promise 4," aimed at "annihilating the launchpads of the Zionist-American aggression."
Reports indicate that multiple structures within the base were hit, leading to significant fires in fuel and ammunition storage areas. Pro-Iranian militias in Iraq, including Saraya Awliya al-Dam, claimed responsibility for 16 separate operations involving dozens of UAVs against US assets in the 24-hour window.
Geopolitical Context: The "Epic Fury" Response
The attacks are a direct retaliation for the February 28th strikes that decimated the Iranian leadership.
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* US Stance: President Donald Trump has vowed that the campaign will continue "until the threat to the American homeland is removed."
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* UK Involvement: The strike on Akrotiri in Cyprus—the first since 1986—highlights the widening scope of the conflict after PM Keir Starmer allowed the US to use British bases for the air campaign.
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* Regional Spread: Beyond Iraq, Iranian projectiles have hit targets in Bahrain, Kuwait, and the UAE, including civilian infrastructure near Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Weaponry Focus: The Shahed and LUCAS Drones
The conflict has seen the massive use of Shahed drones (Iranian suicide UAVs). Notably, the US military has responded by deploying its own version for the first time: the LUCAS (Low-cost Unmanned Combat Attack System), modeled after the Shahed fleet to conduct counter-strikes with similar precision and low cost.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Which US bases in Iraq were hit?
The main targets were Al-Harir Base in Erbil and Ain al-Asad Base in Anbar. Strikes were also reported in the Jurf al-Sakhar area.
How many Americans have been killed?
CENTCOM has confirmed the death of 3 US service members and at least 5 seriously wounded during the initial days of the retaliatory strikes.
Is Erbil Airport still operational?
Flight operations have been suspended intermittently due to intensive interception operations and the risk of incoming missiles.
