A protester waves an Iranian flag during a demonstration against the Israeli attack on Iran, in Basra, on June 13, 2025. (Credit: Hussein Faleh/AFP.)
BEIRUT — Two "Iranian" drones launched towards Israel have been shot down in Iraq by the U.S.-led international coalition against jihadists stationed at the Ain al-Assad base in the western desert, two Iraqi military officials told AFP on Sunday.
An Iraqi military official justified the engagement by stating that the international coalition might have targeted these drones because they were within its perimeter and these troops aimed at any potential threat.
The intervention occurred during the night from Saturday to Sunday, specified the second military official speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter.
"The international coalition at Ain al-Assad shot down two Iranian drones that were on their way to Israel," according to this official.
Already on Friday, an "explosive drone" had been shot down by international coalition forces at Ain al-Assad, according to an Iraqi security official.
Since Friday, the Israeli army has launched an unprecedented military operation against Iran, which is retaliating by firing volleys of ballistic missiles as well as dozens of drones towards Israel.
In recent days, several missiles and drones have also fallen in Iraqi territory, mostly in desert areas and without causing injuries.
The U.S.-led international coalition against jihadists supports local security forces in Iraq engaged against the Islamic State group (IS).
The United States has about 2,500 troops in Iraq as part of the coalition, but Baghdad and Washington have agreed on a schedule for the gradual withdrawal of these alliance soldiers.
By September, these troops must have left federal Iraq bases - including Ain al-Assad - and by the end of 2026, they will depart from the autonomous Kurdistan in northern Iraq.
With the conflict between Tehran and Israel, several pro-Iranian Iraqi armed groups have demanded the departure of U.S. troops.
On Sunday, the influential Hezbollah Brigades reiterated their stance.
"The Islamic Republic does not need any military support from anyone to repel the criminal Zionist entity - it has the men and capacities needed to make [Benjamin] Netanyahu bite the dust," the statement read.
"We are closely monitoring the movements of the American enemy's army. If America intervenes in the war, we will act directly and without hesitation against its interests and bases throughout the region."