The anti-ISIS coalition in Iraq witnessed a significant event as two British Typhoon jets intervened to prevent an attack. This follows a pattern of heightened tension and activity in the region, with various militias and state actors involved.
Recent Attacks in the Region
The thwarted attack closely follows several other noteworthy incidents in the region. Back in February, the US responded to a deadly assault on the Tower 22 base in Jordan. Since then, pro-Iranian Shiite militias, chiefly from Iraq, have abstained from attacking the anti-ISIS coalition's military bases.
On April 22, a US military base in northeastern Syria was targeted by five rockets originating from Iran. Shortly afterward, the rocket-launching truck was engulfed in flames, suspectedly due to a counterstrike from US aircraft. A little over a day later, another blast occurred at a base in Calso, central Iraq, where Shiite paramilitaries from Hachd al-Chaabi were stationed.
Escalating Tensions
In response to the slow pace of talks between Washington and Baghdad, the Kataeb Hezbollah militia hinted they might recommence actions against US troops. The UK Ministry of Defense disclosed on April 26 that an attempt to attack anti-ISIS coalition forces in Iraq was successfully thwarted by two RAF Eurofighter Typhoon jets. As part of this mission, a Paveway IV bomb was dropped by one of the jets, neutralizing a “rocket launcher system.”
The Catch
However, there is still some ambiguity as to whether the strike was aimed at ISIS members or members of an Iraqi Shiite militia. It is notable that the last RAF assault on jihadist locations in Iraq occurred in May 2023.
ISIS Activity
A UN expert group outlines that ISIS still concentrates its operations around Baghdad and in the provinces of Kirkouk, Diyala, Salaheddin, and Nineveh. The preferred methods of attack are the use of light weapons and explosive devices primarily against government officials, security officers, local authorities, civilians, and military installations.
Aerial Raids
Over time, aerial raids against ISIS in both Iraq and Syria have become a rarity. No specific figure has been provided by the Inherent Resolve headquarters since August 2021. The latest statements from U.S. CENTCOM predominantly pertain to the conditions in the Red Sea.
Naval Activity
Another first since the Gulf War in 1991 was recorded when Royal Navy destroyer, HMS Diamond, annihilated a ballistic missile launched from Yemen by Houthi rebels linked to Iran. The missile was aimed at the container ship MV Maersk Yorktown. The HMS Diamond employed an Aster 30 interceptor missile in conjunction with its Sea Viper system to neutralize the threat.