{"id":47738,"date":"2020-03-17T19:41:56","date_gmt":"2020-03-17T19:41:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/uncategorized\/2020\/03\/17\/us-hands-over-base-to-iraqi-forces-in-area-known-to-be-a-hotbed-for-iran-backed-militia\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T03:34:05","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T03:34:05","slug":"us-hands-over-base-to-iraqi-forces-in-area-known-to-be-a-hotbed-for-iran-backed-militia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/flashpoints\/2020\/03\/17\/us-hands-over-base-to-iraqi-forces-in-area-known-to-be-a-hotbed-for-iran-backed-militia\/","title":{"rendered":"US hands over base to Iraqi forces in area known to be a hotbed for Iran-backed militia"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The U.S. military announced Tuesday it had handed over a strategic outpost near the Iraq-Syria border to Iraqi forces in a region known to host an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.militarytimes.com\/news\/your-military\/2020\/02\/27\/us-adds-leader-of-iraqi-militia-to-terrorism-blacklist\/\" target=_blank>Iran-backed<\/a> militia responsible for more than a dozen rocket attacks targeting coalition troops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Two experts who spoke to Military Times worry the base nestled near a key border crossing area could fall into the hands of the Iran-backed group \u2014 cementing what national security experts have warned is Tehran\u2019s goal of a land route to the Mediterranean Sea for the movement of arms, proxies and illicit goods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Officials with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.militarytimes.com\/flashpoints\/2020\/03\/11\/more-than-15-small-rockets-slam-iraqi-base-housing-coalition-troops\/\" target=\"_blank\">Operation Inherent Resolve<\/a> \u2014 the U.S.-led mission to defeat ISIS in Iraq and Syria \u2014 say the al-Qaim base transfer is about consolidating coalition forces following successful operations against ISIS militants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cToday marks a historic moment for the Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve and our Iraqi Security Partners,\u201d Brig. Gen. Vincent Barker, OIR director of sustainment, said in a release.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAl Qaim base served as a critical location in the fight against Daesh. First, as the Iraqi Security Forces liberated the Al Qaim region from an evil presence, and later as a valuable base during the Battle for Baghouz, the last physical territory held by ISIS. Today\u2019s transfer is possible thanks to the efforts and successes of our ISF partners,&#8221; Barker said in the release.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But the base transfer follows two recent rocket attacks targeting an Iraqi base housing coalition troops known as Camp Taji. A rocket attack on March 11 resulted in two U.S. troops and one U.K. service member dead. On March 14, a barrage of 107 mm rockets wounded several American troops.<\/p>\n\n\n\t<aside class=\"smg-interstitial-link wp-block-smg-interstitial-link\">\n\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/flashpoints\/2020\/03\/16\/us-re-positioning-some-troops-from-smaller-bases-in-iraq-following-deadly-rocket-attack\/\" class=\"smg-interstitial-link__inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"smg-interstitial-link__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"208\" src=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/6072665.jpg.jpg?w=300\" class=\"smg-interstitial-link__image wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"smg-interstitial-link__content\">\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"smg-interstitial-link__kicker\">Related<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"smg-interstitial-link__title\">US re-positioning some troops from smaller bases in Iraq following deadly rocket attack<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"smg-interstitial-link__excerpt\">The coalition has come under criticism for not fielding counter rocket, artillery, and mortar, or C-RAM systems at Iraqi bases, especially Camp Taji, which has been the target of multiple rocket attacks.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/aside>\n\t\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rocket attacks since October 2019 have precipitated a deadly tit-for-tat escalation between an Iran-backed group known as Kataib Hezbollah and U.S. forces. A rocket attack that killed an American contractor and wounded several U.S. troops in December 2019 in Kirkuk nearly led to a war with Iran.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Charles Lister, a senior research fellow and director of Countering Terrorism and Extremism Program at the Middle East Institute, tweeted Tuesday Kataib Hezbollah may take over the base following the U.S. departure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWho wants to bet that 6 months from now, #Iran-backed militias will be the \u201cISF\u201d [Iraq security forces] in command of al-Qaim base?,\u201d Lister <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Charles_Lister\/status\/1239982457212080128?s=20\" target=_blank>tweeted<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201c#IRGC-linked [Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps] militias already have a sizable presence around al-Qaim, not to mention controlling the other side of the border, in #Syria\u2019s al-Bukamal\/Imam Ali Base etc.,\u201d Lister tweeted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Kataib Hezbollah has an extensive network across the Anbar province in Iraq, according to Phillip Smyth, a research fellow for the Washington Institute and Iran expert.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Shia militant group has been known to operate in al-Qaim, Abu Kamal and along Route 1 that runs through Anbar province, Smyth told Military Times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Smyth told Military Times he was sure the base would fall to the Iran-backed group, warning that the militants already had \u201cdefacto\u201d control. \u201cOnce we\u2019re out, they\u2019ll be there,\u201d Smyth said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Lister told Military Times that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.militarytimes.com\/news\/your-military\/2019\/12\/29\/us-strikes-iran-backed-militia-strongholds-in-iraq-and-syria\/\" target=_blank>Kataib Hezbollah<\/a> controls the Syria border crossing near al-Qaim.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThey\u2019re the key PMU [popular mobilization unit] player around al-Qaim, arguably out-influencing the Iraqi Army\u2019s 8th Division, which is technically al-Qaim-based,\u201d Lister said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Following the Dec. 27 rocket attack against Kirkuk, American warplanes launched retaliatory strikes hitting a Kataib Hezbollah headquarters located in al-Qaim.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The airstrikes sparked an escalation that led to a standoff at the U.S. embassy in Baghdad, a decapitation strike against Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani, and a ballistic missile strike by Iran targeting coalition troops housed at two Iraqi bases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">U.S. Central Command has struggled to protect and respond to the rocket attacks that continue unabated despite numerous threats from U.S. officials towards Tehran and its proxies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.dvidshub.net\/video\/embed\/743241\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" frameborder=\"0\" allowtransparency allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The coalition has come under criticism for not fielding counter rocket, artillery, and mortar, or C-RAM systems at Iraqi bases, especially Camp Taji, which has been the target of multiple rocket attacks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">C-RAM systems can be used to defend bases from indirect fire and mortars, but Marine Gen. Kenneth McKenzie Jr., the CENTCOM commander, explained they\u2019re often used to bolster the defense of Patriot systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Patriot missile batteries are moving into Iraq to help counter a potential Iran ballistic missile strike.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Camp Taji, the Iraqi base hit by 18 rockets on March 11, did not have a C-RAM system. McKenzie told reporters that CENTCOM has to \u201cruthlessly prioritize\u201d where it places defensive equipment because there are more troops than systems and assets available to protect everyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">McKenzie said it was an \u201cunpleasant fact\u201d but the U.S. \u201ccan\u2019t have C-RAM everywhere.\u201d The CENTCOM commander also noted that the C-RAM is \u201cnot a panacea.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\t<aside class=\"smg-interstitial-link wp-block-smg-interstitial-link\">\n\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/news\/your-military\/2020\/03\/12\/officials-us-strikes-iran-backed-group-that-hit-iraq-base-killing-2-american-troops\/\" class=\"smg-interstitial-link__inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"smg-interstitial-link__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/AP20055857107915.jpg.jpg?w=300\" class=\"smg-interstitial-link__image wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"smg-interstitial-link__content\">\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"smg-interstitial-link__kicker\">Related<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"smg-interstitial-link__title\">Pentagon: US strikes Iran-backed group that hit Iraq base<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"smg-interstitial-link__excerpt\">The U.S. launched airstrikes in Iraq Thursday, American officials said, targeting the Iranian-backed Shia militia members believed responsible for the rocket attack that killed and wounded American and British troops at a base north of Baghdad.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/aside>\n\t\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On March 13, McKenzie said the threat from Iran \u201cremains very high\u201d following the latest rocket attack against coalition forces involving an Iran-backed Shia militia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">OIR said coalition troops would leave al-Qaim in the coming days following the transfer of equipment to Iraqi forces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">OIR detailed in a release it was handing over roughly $900,000 worth of equipment to Iraqi forces that includes container housing units, water tanks, generators, tents and barriers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The coalition said it will continue to consolidate forces from smaller bases across Iraq throughout 2020.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>\u201cWho wants to bet that 6 months from now, #Iran-backed militias will be the \u201cISF\u201d  [Iraq security forces] in command of al-Qaim base?&#8221;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":84982,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_yoast_wpseo_meta-robots-noindex":"","_yoast_wpseo_meta-robots-nofollow":"","_yoast_wpseo_canonical":"","_acf":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_category":8,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","_smg_distribution_targets":[]},"categories":[101,8,23,89,12,26,62],"tags":[],"coauthors":[3399],"class_list":["post-47738","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-daily-news-roundup","category-flashpoints","category-home","category-middle-column","category-news","category-newsletters","category-pentagon-congress"],"acf":{"subheadline":"","legacy_arc_id":"MJBKZKOSNZHZRM2BY4SNDJU5DY","arc_canonical_url":"\/flashpoints\/2020\/03\/17\/us-hands-over-base-to-iraqi-forces-in-area-known-to-be-a-hotbed-for-iran-backed-militia\/","remove_feature_photo":false,"is_sponsored":false,"subtype":"","redirect_url":"","disable_inline_ads":false,"native_logo_pretext":"Presented By:"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v26.0 (Yoast SEO v28.1) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>US hands over base to Iraqi forces in area known to be a hotbed for Iran-backed militia - Navy Times<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"\u201cWho wants to bet that 6 months from now, #Iran-backed militias will be the \u201cISF\u201d  in command of al-Qaim base?&quot;\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"noindex, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"US hands over base to Iraqi forces in area known to be a hotbed for Iran-backed militia\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"\u201cWho wants to bet that 6 months from now, #Iran-backed militias will be the \u201cISF\u201d  in command of al-Qaim base?&quot;\" 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