Major fire erupts at Al Taji military base, 27 kilometers north of Baghdad, allegedly after unidentified aerial objects targeted the facility’s radar system. Photo: X
Major fire erupts at Al Taji military base, 27 kilometers north of Baghdad, allegedly after unidentified aerial objects targeted the facility’s radar system. Photo: X
Major fire erupts at Al Taji military base, 27 kilometers north of Baghdad, allegedly after unidentified aerial objects targeted the facility’s radar system. Photo: X
Major fire erupts at Al Taji military base, 27 kilometers north of Baghdad, allegedly after unidentified aerial objects targeted the facility’s radar system. Photo: X

Iraq confirms drone attacks on radar systems at military bases


Sinan Mahmoud
  • English
  • Arabic

At least two radar systems were attacked by unidentified drones on Tuesday early morning at military bases in Iraq, a government spokesman confirmed, while there was no claim of responsibility for the attacks.

The first drone hit the radar system at Al Taji military base north of Baghdad, the military spokesman for Iraqi Prime Minster, Sabah Al Numan, said. Al Taji base hosted US troops several years ago and was a frequent target of rocket attacks. Another drone attacked the radar system at the Imam Ali airbase in Dhi Qar province in southern Iraq, Mr Al Numan added.

The attacks at these sites caused “significant damages”, he said.

The Iraqi forces “successfully repelled and foiled” other attempts to strike four other sites in different locations by intercepting the drones, Mr Al Numan said.

The strikes came hours after Iran launched an attack on a US military base in Qatar on Monday night, in retaliation for the US attacks on Tehran's nuclear sites. The missile attack on Al Udeid base, the largest US military site in the Middle East, left no casualties or damages.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al Sudani ordered an investigation into the attacks by a high-level technical and intelligence committee.

“All targeted sites are military locations fully affiliated with the Iraqi security forces, managed and operated by offices and personnel from our heroic security forces,” Mr Al Numan added.

“The criminal and treacherous acts will not go unpunished,” he added.

In a move to alleviate Iranian concerns, Iraq posted air defence systems in several sensitive areas around the country last week, mainly near the borders with Iran. Iraq has also lodged a formal complaint with the UN Security Council regarding Israel's breach of its airspace after it began attacking Iran 12 days ago.

LAST-16 FIXTURES

Sunday, January 20
3pm: Jordan v Vietnam at Al Maktoum Stadium, Dubai
6pm: Thailand v China at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium, Al Ain
9pm: Iran v Oman at Mohamed bin Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi

Monday, January 21
3pm: Japan v Saudi Arabia at Sharjah Stadium
6pm: Australia v Uzbekistan at Khalifa bin Zayed Stadium, Al Ain
9pm: UAE v Kyrgyzstan at Zayed Sports City Stadium, Abu Dhabi

Tuesday, January 22
5pm: South Korea v Bahrain at Rashid Stadium, Dubai
8pm: Qatar v Iraq at Al Nahyan Stadium, Abu Dhabi

What can victims do?

Always use only regulated platforms

Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion

Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)

Report to local authorities

Warn others to prevent further harm

Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence

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6pm: Hatta Lake – Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: AF Yatroq, George Buckell, Ernst Oertel 

6.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup – Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Ashton Tourettes, Adries de Vries, Ibrahim Aseel 

7pm: Abu Dhabi Championship – Listed (PA) Dh180,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Bahar Muscat, Antonio Fresu, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami 

7.30pm: Zakher Lake – Rated Conditions (TB) Dh80,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: Alfareeq, Dane O’Neill, Musabah Al Muhairi.  

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Ways to control drones

Countries have been coming up with ways to restrict and monitor the use of non-commercial drones to keep them from trespassing on controlled areas such as airports.

"Drones vary in size and some can be as big as a small city car - so imagine the impact of one hitting an airplane. It's a huge risk, especially when commercial airliners are not designed to make or take sudden evasive manoeuvres like drones can" says Saj Ahmed, chief analyst at London-based StrategicAero Research.

New measures have now been taken to monitor drone activity, Geo-fencing technology is one.

It's a method designed to prevent drones from drifting into banned areas. The technology uses GPS location signals to stop its machines flying close to airports and other restricted zones.

The European commission has recently announced a blueprint to make drone use in low-level airspace safe, secure and environmentally friendly. This process is called “U-Space” – it covers altitudes of up to 150 metres. It is also noteworthy that that UK Civil Aviation Authority recommends drones to be flown at no higher than 400ft. “U-Space” technology will be governed by a system similar to air traffic control management, which will be automated using tools like geo-fencing.

The UAE has drawn serious measures to ensure users register their devices under strict new laws. Authorities have urged that users must obtain approval in advance before flying the drones, non registered drone use in Dubai will result in a fine of up to twenty thousand dirhams under a new resolution approved by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai.

Mr Ahmad suggest that "Hefty fines running into hundreds of thousands of dollars need to compensate for the cost of airport disruption and flight diversions to lengthy jail spells, confiscation of travel rights and use of drones for a lengthy period" must be enforced in order to reduce airport intrusion.

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The Settlers

Director: Louis Theroux

Starring: Daniella Weiss, Ari Abramowitz

Rating: 5/5

Updated: June 24, 2025, 9:37 AM`