Iraq probes drone strikes on military bases amid suspicions of foreign or internal involvement

Iraq's government has opened a high-level investigation into a series of coordinated drone strikes that targeted radar systems at key military installations in the early hours of Tuesday, raising questions over possible Israeli involvement or internal sabotage by armed factions.

Between 2:15 AM and 3:45 AM on 24 June, multiple small suicide drones struck Camp Taji, north of Baghdad, and Imam Ali Air Base in Dhi Qar province, 375 km south of the capital. According to a military statement, the attacks caused severe damage to radar systems but resulted in no casualties. Other attempted strikes on four additional sites were reportedly intercepted and neutralised by Iraqi forces.

A statement from Sabah al-Numan, spokesperson for Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, described the attacks as a "cowardly and treacherous assault" and confirmed the formation of a technical and intelligence committee—comprising representatives from all security agencies—to investigate the incident and identify the perpetrators.

Military sources indicated that the first strike targeted a TPS-77 radar system at Camp Taji, which was reportedly destroyed, while a second attack hit an AN/TPQ-36 radar at Imam Ali Base in Dhi Qar, causing significant damage. These details, however, have not been officially confirmed by the Defence Ministry.

The drone strikes came just after US President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire between Israel and Iran, fuelling speculation that the attack may be linked to regional developments. The Iraqi government has yet to officially assign blame, but the possibility of Israeli air operations or sabotage by Iran-aligned militias has not been ruled out.

Efforts by The New Arab to contact members of the Iraqi parliament's defence and security committee for comment were unsuccessful.

Despite the presence of advanced radar systems, Iraq has long struggled to secure its airspace. During the recent 12-day conflict between Israel and Iran, Iraqi skies were used as a corridor for missile exchanges between the two countries. Iraq currently lacks a functional air defence system, making its territory vulnerable to foreign incursions.

While Prime Minister Sudani vowed that the perpetrators would be held accountable, public trust in the effectiveness of investigative committees remains low. Many Iraqis view such inquiries as ineffective or politically compromised, often leading to inconclusive results that are never made public.

In a cabinet meeting held Tuesday, Sudani reaffirmed Iraq's condemnation of Israeli strikes on Iran, describing them as a "deliberate destabilisation of regional peace." He also stressed that Iraq "was not and will not be in a position of weakness," noting that the country had previously faced and defeated terrorism.

The prime minister added that the government had initiated a plan to strengthen Iraq's air defences, including new procurement agreements with certain countries to modernise its capabilities. He also warned that Iraq would "not hesitate to retaliate against those who destabilise the country, whether from inside or outside."

Sudani's remarks have been widely interpreted as a veiled warning to internal actors, including Iran-backed militias, who may have been involved in the attacks.

Still, the latest strikes have once again exposed deep vulnerabilities in Iraq's military infrastructure at a time when intensifying regional tensions continue to place the country at the heart of escalating rivalries.