In recent weeks, US troops in Iraq have been targeted by drone strikes for the 25th time in two weeks, according to a report from The Times of London. The unmanned aerial vehicles have been used to target American positions as part of a destabilizing strategy by the Iraqi government, hoping to increase tension between the two countries.
The most recent attack, on a base in Erbil, occurred just days after the US-led coalition announced its withdrawal from the country. This withdrawal announcement was met with resistance from the Iraqi government, who accused the US of violating its sovereignty. Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi has also stated that any further US military presence in his country would not be tolerated.
This is not the first time that drone strikes have been employed against US troops in Iraq. Last month, the Air Force reported four strikes near Baghdad and Fallujah, and in March, drones attacked a US base in Basra. Although these airstrikes have been largely unsuccessful, it is clear that the Iraqi government is willing to take drastic measures in order to deter American forces.
Despite the tension between the two countries, it appears that the US military is not planning to launch any retaliatory strikes in response to the drone attacks. In fact, a statement released by the Pentagon the day after the most recent attack emphasized the importance of continued cooperation and dialogue between the two countries.
The US-Iraq relationship is being tested in a way that it has not been since the 2003 invasion. This recent spate of drone attacks is being seen as a sign of defiance from the Iraqi government, and an indicator of the level of distrust that exists between the two allies. It remains to be seen how the US will respond to these strikes, and if the situation will deescalate or continue to escalate.