The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) has officially confirmed that Iraqi police discovered a land attack cruise missile of Iranian design in Babel province on January 3. The missile, which failed to launch, poses a significant concern as it highlights the utilization of Iranian-supplied munitions by terrorist groups operating within Iraq and Syria. This discovery has raised alarms regarding the potential threat posed to Coalition forces and local residents.

In a statement released on Friday, CENTCOM expressed gratitude for the commitment of Iraq's legitimate security forces in preventing potential future attacks. The discovery comes amid a surge in drone and rocket attacks on US and Coalition bases in Iraq and Syria since October 17th, with the US Department of Defense reporting over 100 incidents. These attacks, carried out by proxies supported by Iran, have resulted in up to 60 injuries to military personnel.

Iran-backed militia groups, including the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, have claimed responsibility for numerous assaults on US interests in Iraq. Recently, Kataib Hezbollah in Iraq, aligned with Iran, has publicly declared its intent to persist with such attacks.

Government sources in Iraq revealed that on Monday of the previous week, US defense systems successfully intercepted an armed drone near Ain Al-Asad air base in the western Iraqi governorate of Anbar. This air base hosts US, Iraqi, and other international forces. The interception underscores the ongoing security challenges in the region and the continuous efforts to safeguard military installations from potential threats.

The revelation of the Iranian-designed cruise missile and the intercepted armed drone near Ain Al-Asad air base emphasize the need for heightened vigilance and collaborative security measures to counter the evolving security landscape in Iraq. The Coalition remains steadfast in its commitment to addressing these challenges and ensuring the safety of its personnel and local populations.