Iraqi military clinic strike kills 7 soldiers, wounds 13 at Habbaniyah base

Seven soldiers were killed and 13 others injured when an airstrike hit a military clinic and an engineering unit at the Habbaniyah base, west of Baghdad on Wednesday morning, the Iraqi Defense Ministry said. In a statement posted on X, the ministry said the strike was followed by additional fire from an aircraft, as rescue teams continued searching the site.

Condemnation

The attack killed and wounded personnel while they were carrying out their "national and humanitarian duties," the ministry said. It described the attack as a "blatant and serious violation of international laws and norms that prohibit targeting medical facilities and their staff." It called the strike "a dangerous escalation," stressing that targeting medical facilities represents "a grave crime."

Iraq's response

The ministry said the attack would not deter its personnel, adding that Iraq reserves the right to take all necessary measures "to respond in accordance with applicable laws." It did not identify the party responsible for the strike.

Conflict context

The US and Israel have maintained airstrikes on Iran since Feb. 28, killing over 1,340 people according to Iranian authorities, including former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Tehran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, along with Jordan, Iraq and Gulf countries hosting US military assets, causing casualties and damage to infrastructure while disrupting global markets and aviation.

Regional escalation

Iraq has increasingly become a flashpoint in the widening conflict, with US forces present in the country and Iranian-backed militias active. The strike on a military clinic at Habbaniyah base adds to tensions, with Iraq asserting its right to respond while refraining from immediate attribution.