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IAC between Iran and Iraq

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IAC between Iran and Iraq

By juliette

The IAC between Iran and Iraq was triggered on 28 February 2026 when Iran launched drone and missiles attacks against Erbil International Airport, which hosts US military facilities,1P. Wintour, ‘Iran vows ‘no leniency’ as it launches reprisal attacks on Israel and US air bases’, The Guardian, 28 February 2026; T. Bennettet al, ‘Luxury Dubai hotel hit as Iran launches retaliatory strikes across region’, BBC, 28 February 2026; M. Kellyet al, ‘U.S. troops had little protection from drone strike that killed 6, imagery shows’, The Washington Post, 4 March 2026 as well as the US Consulate General in Erbil. No injuries or major damages were reported as most missiles and drones were successfully intercepted.2‘Attack on U.S. base at Erbil International Airport blocked’, Reuters Connect, 28 February 2026. The United States has a military presence in Iraq. The US Ain Al Asad Air Base in western Iraq supports NATO missions while US training and coordination efforts take place at the Erbil Air Base in Iraqi Kurdistan.3‘Multiple Arab states that host US assets targeted in Iran retaliation’, Al Jazeera, 28 February 2026. There has been an increase in attacks by Iran-backed Iraqi militias since the outbreak of the conflict (see above).4R. Reddy et al,‘Iran Update Special Report, April 21, 2026’, Institute for the Study of War, 21 April 2026. The IAC between Iran and Iraq was ongoing at the time of reporting.