Wreckage from a drone that was shot down at Baghdad airport on Monday. AP
Wreckage from a drone that was shot down at Baghdad airport on Monday. AP
Wreckage from a drone that was shot down at Baghdad airport on Monday. AP
Wreckage from a drone that was shot down at Baghdad airport on Monday. AP

US troops shoot down two drones over base in Iraq


Sinan Mahmoud
  • English
  • Arabic

US troops in western Iraq shot down two drones on Tuesday morning, Iraqi and US-led international coalition officials said.

No casualties were reported among the US or Iraqi troops stationed at Ain Al Asad Airbase in Anbar governorate.

"Two fixed-wing drones rigged with explosives were engaged and destroyed by defensive capabilities at the Iraqi Al Asad Airbase early this morning," the coalition official said. "The attempted attack was unsuccessful, all forces are accounted for."

The attack happened a day after the downing of two "kamikaze drones" flying near a US base at Baghdad's international airport.

Monday's attack was carried out a few hours after a ceremony to commemorate the second anniversary of the deaths of Iranian general Qassem Suleimani and Iraqi militia leader Abu Mahdi Al Muhandis in an American drone strike near the airport.

Photos shared by coalition of debris from Monday’s drones showed the messages “Leader’s revenge” and “Suleimani’s revenge” on the drones' wings.

In both attacks, the US troops brought down the drones with a counter-rocket, artillery and mortar defence system.

The US-led coalition was formed in September 2014 to fight ISIS, a few months after the terrorist group swept through large areas of northern and western Iraq.

It also operates in Syria, where ISIS is active in some parts.

After declaring ISIS defeated in late 2017, Iran-backed Iraqi politicians and militias have called for the withdrawal of US troops stationed in Iraq.

Tensions escalated in 2018, leading to tit-for-tat attacks and the January 2019 assassination of Suleimani and Al Muhandis.

Since then, militia attacks have become routine, forcing both Baghdad and Washington to reach an agreement for the US to end combat missions and to shift to a training and advisory role. There are however still 2,500 US troops stationed in Iraq.

  • Candles are placed next to a picture of Iranian military commander Qassem Suleimani and Iraqi militia leader Abu Mahdi Al Muhandis, at Baghdad Airport in Iraq on Sunday, before events to mark the second anniversary of their killing. Reuters
    Candles are placed next to a picture of Iranian military commander Qassem Suleimani and Iraqi militia leader Abu Mahdi Al Muhandis, at Baghdad Airport in Iraq on Sunday, before events to mark the second anniversary of their killing. Reuters
  • The wreckages of vehicles are displayed at Baghdad Airport to commemorate the assassination of Suleimani and Al Muhandis. The two were killed on January 3, 2020, in a US drone strike near the airport. Reuters
    The wreckages of vehicles are displayed at Baghdad Airport to commemorate the assassination of Suleimani and Al Muhandis. The two were killed on January 3, 2020, in a US drone strike near the airport. Reuters
  • People pose for a photo in front of the wreckage of the car in which Suleimani and Al Muhandis were killed. AFP
    People pose for a photo in front of the wreckage of the car in which Suleimani and Al Muhandis were killed. AFP
  • A woman takes part in a commemoration ceremony at the spot where Suleimani and Al Muhandis were killed. AFP
    A woman takes part in a commemoration ceremony at the spot where Suleimani and Al Muhandis were killed. AFP
  • People light candles during remembrance events. AFP
    People light candles during remembrance events. AFP
  • Members of the Iraqi Popular Mobilisation Forces, or Hashed Al Shaabi, take part in a march. AFP
    Members of the Iraqi Popular Mobilisation Forces, or Hashed Al Shaabi, take part in a march. AFP
  • The killing of Suleimani, the architect of Iran’s strategy in the Middle East, sent shock waves across the region. AFP
    The killing of Suleimani, the architect of Iran’s strategy in the Middle East, sent shock waves across the region. AFP
  • Members of the PMF take selfies during the commemoration ceremony. AFP
    Members of the PMF take selfies during the commemoration ceremony. AFP
  • A man holds a large poster of Suleimani as Iraqis light candles near Baghdad's International Airport. AFP
    A man holds a large poster of Suleimani as Iraqis light candles near Baghdad's International Airport. AFP

"While we have ended our combat mission, we maintain the inherent right of self-defence," the coalition official said.

"These are attacks against Iraqi installations and an attack against the Iraqi people and the military that protects them. We maintain a minimal footprint on Iraqi bases – the coalition no longer has its own bases in Iraq."

Tuesday's attack was the third this year. The first one was on Saturday, when a roadside bomb went off next to a logistics convoy heading to a base hosting US troops.

On Wednesday night, five Katyusha rockets landed near Ain Al Asad Airbase in western Iraq where US troops are hosted, a government statement said. The attack caused no casualties, it added

The End of Loneliness
Benedict Wells
Translated from the German by Charlotte Collins
Sceptre

Pharaoh's curse

British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.

Miss Granny

Director: Joyce Bernal

Starring: Sarah Geronimo, James Reid, Xian Lim, Nova Villa

3/5

(Tagalog with Eng/Ar subtitles)

Fixtures and results:

Wed, Aug 29:

  • Malaysia bt Hong Kong by 3 wickets
  • Oman bt Nepal by 7 wickets
  • UAE bt Singapore by 215 runs

Thu, Aug 30: 

  • UAE bt Nepal by 78 runs
  • Hong Kong bt Singapore by 5 wickets
  • Oman bt Malaysia by 2 wickets

Sat, Sep 1: UAE v Hong Kong; Oman v Singapore; Malaysia v Nepal

Sun, Sep 2: Hong Kong v Oman; Malaysia v UAE; Nepal v Singapore

Tue, Sep 4: Malaysia v Singapore; UAE v Oman; Nepal v Hong Kong

Thu, Sep 6: Final

Lexus LX700h specs

Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor

Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm

Transmission: 10-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh590,000

How Sputnik V works
The Sheikh Zayed Future Energy Prize

This year’s winners of the US$4 million Sheikh Zayed Future Energy Prize will be recognised and rewarded in Abu Dhabi on January 15 as part of Abu Dhabi Sustainable Week, which runs in the capital from January 13 to 20.

From solutions to life-changing technologies, the aim is to discover innovative breakthroughs to create a new and sustainable energy future.

Racecard
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Quick%20facts
%3Cul%3E%0A%3Cli%3EStorstockholms%20Lokaltrafik%20(SL)%20offers%20free%20guided%20tours%20of%20art%20in%20the%20metro%20and%20at%20the%20stations%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EThe%20tours%20are%20free%20of%20charge%3B%20all%20you%20need%20is%20a%20valid%20SL%20ticket%2C%20for%20which%20a%20single%20journey%20(valid%20for%2075%20minutes)%20costs%2039%20Swedish%20krone%20(%243.75)%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3ETravel%20cards%20for%20unlimited%20journeys%20are%20priced%20at%20165%20Swedish%20krone%20for%2024%20hours%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EAvoid%20rush%20hour%20%E2%80%93%20between%209.30%20am%20and%204.30%20pm%20%E2%80%93%20to%20explore%20the%20artwork%20at%20leisure%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3C%2Ful%3E%0A
ONCE UPON A TIME IN GAZA

Starring: Nader Abd Alhay, Majd Eid, Ramzi Maqdisi

Directors: Tarzan and Arab Nasser

Rating: 4.5/5

Countries recognising Palestine

France, UK, Canada, Australia, Portugal, Belgium, Malta, Luxembourg, San Marino and Andorra

 

Civil%20War
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Alex%20Garland%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Kirsten%20Dunst%2C%20Cailee%20Spaeny%2C%20Wagner%20Moura%2C%20Nick%20Offerman%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
MATCH INFO

Uefa Nations League

League A, Group 4
Spain v England, 10.45pm (UAE)

Directed: Smeep Kang
Produced: Soham Rockstar Entertainment; SKE Production
Cast: Rishi Kapoor, Jimmy Sheirgill, Sunny Singh, Omkar Kapoor, Rajesh Sharma
Rating: Two out of five stars 

COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EKinetic%207%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202018%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounder%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Rick%20Parish%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Abu%20Dhabi%2C%20UAE%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Clean%20cooking%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%2410%20million%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Self-funded%3C%2Fp%3E%0A

 

Company: Instabug

Founded: 2013

Based: Egypt, Cairo

Sector: IT

Employees: 100

Stage: Series A

Investors: Flat6Labs, Accel, Y Combinator and angel investors

Updated: January 05, 2022, 6:29 PM