Roberta Aguirre
Baghdad International Airport has been the target of multiple rocket attacks over the years. In 2014, three rockets were fired at the airport, striking a runway and a plane but causing no casualties. Similar rocket attacks occurred in 2015, 2019, and 2021, with varying numbers of casualties reported. The most notable rocket attack on the airport happened in 2020, when an airstrike killed Iran's Gen. Qassem Soleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, a commander of Iran-backed militias. While the perpetrators of some of these attacks remain unknown, others have been linked to Iran-backed militias and tensions with the United States. These incidents highlight the ongoing security concerns and tensions in the region.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 1st October 2024 |
| Number of Rockets | 3 |
| Type of Rockets | Katyusha |
| Casualties | None |
| Target | Unclear, but near buildings used by Iraqi counter-terrorism forces |
| Perpetrator | Unclear, but Iran-backed groups suspected |
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What You'll Learn
Rockets fired at Baghdad airport in 2024
On September 30, 2024, multiple Katyusha rockets were fired near Baghdad International Airport. Iraqi military officials reported that an initial investigation showed three rockets were fired, including one that landed near buildings used by Iraqi counter-terrorism forces. This incident caused damage to vehicles but no casualties. However, Iraqi security sources initially stated that at least two Katyusha rockets were also fired, suggesting a total of five rockets involved in the attack.
A rocket launcher was seized in a residential area in western Baghdad near the airport, and three unfired rockets were also found and dismantled. In response, Iraqi security forces increased their patrols around the airport to prevent future attacks. Iraq's prime minister ordered an immediate investigation into the security breach, with the findings to be revealed within 48 hours.
Speculation arose regarding potential retaliation from Iran and Iran-backed groups due to a series of Israeli strikes against Lebanon's Iran-backed Hezbollah. However, a U.S. defense official disputed reports that U.S. military forces were targeted, stating that all personnel were accounted for. This incident highlighted the escalating tensions in the Middle East and Iraq's delicate balance as a regional partner of both the United States and Iran.
Previous rocket attacks on Baghdad International Airport have occurred, including one in 2015 that resulted in the deaths of 23 members of an exiled Iranian opposition group, and another in 2020 that killed four people. The 2020 attack involved Iran-backed militias and heightened tensions with the United States. These incidents underscore the ongoing security challenges faced by Iraq and the vulnerability of its critical infrastructure.
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No casualties, but vehicles damaged
On 29 October 2015, around 15 rockets landed near Baghdad International Airport, killing 23 people. The rockets were fired from an area west of the airport, around 6 km (4 miles) northeast of the airport, in the Bakriya neighbourhood. The attack took place near a camp next to the airport holding members of an exiled Iranian opposition group, the People's Mujahideen Organisation of Iran (PMOI). The PMOI spokesman in Paris, Shahin Gobadi, stated that at least 80 missiles hit the camp, killing 23 residents, including a woman, and injuring dozens more.
In a separate incident on 31 January 2014, three rockets were fired at Baghdad International Airport, hitting a runway and a plane. Fortunately, there were no casualties reported in this attack, and air traffic was not disrupted. However, the incident highlighted the vulnerability of Iraq's critical infrastructure as security deteriorated across the country.
On 2 January 2020, another rocket attack occurred at Baghdad International Airport, resulting in the deaths of four individuals and the destruction of vehicles by fire. Iraqi security officials reported that the rockets landed near the airport's cargo hall. The attack came amid escalating tensions with the United States after a New Year's Eve attack on the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad by Iran-backed militias.
Most recently, in September 2024, multiple Katyusha rockets were fired near Baghdad International Airport, causing damage to vehicles but no casualties. An initial investigation revealed that one of the rockets landed near buildings used by Iraqi counter-terrorism forces. Iraq's prime minister ordered an immediate investigation into the security breach, and Iraqi security forces increased patrols around the airport to prevent future attacks.
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US forces were not targeted
There have been several instances of rockets being fired at Baghdad airport in recent years. In 2014, three rockets were fired at the airport, hitting a runway and a plane, but causing no casualties. In 2015, about 15 rockets landed near a camp next to the airport, killing 23 members of an exiled Iranian opposition group. In 2020, at least three Katyusha rockets were fired, killing four people and setting cars on fire. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for any of these attacks, and it was not clear who was targeted. However, in the 2020 attack, an official with the Popular Mobilization Forces, an Iran-backed militia, blamed the United States.
In 2024, multiple Katyusha rockets were again fired near Baghdad International Airport. While there were initial reports that U.S. military forces were targeted, a U.S. defense official denied this, stating that "all military personnel are accounted for and military forces were not targeted as had been reported." This incident occurred amid soaring tensions in the Middle East between Iran and Israel, and speculation that Iran-backed groups would retaliate against Israeli strikes.
While the 2024 rocket attack did not target U.S. forces, it is important to note that U.S. interests in the region have been implicated in similar incidents. For example, the 2020 attack that killed four people also killed Iran's Gen. Qassem Soleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, deputy commander of Iran-backed militias. An official with the Popular Mobilization Forces blamed the United States for this attack, and Iranian state television reported that Soleimani was "martyred" in an American airstrike.
The 2024 rocket attack prompted Iraq's prime minister to order an immediate investigation into the security breach. Iraqi security forces increased patrols around the airport to prevent future attacks, and the findings of the investigation were to be revealed within 48 hours per the prime minister's orders. This swift response underscores the seriousness of the situation and the potential implications for regional stability.
In summary, while U.S. forces were not targeted in the 2024 rocket attack on Baghdad International Airport, the incident highlights the volatile nature of the region and the complex dynamics between various factions. The presence of U.S. troops in Iraq, a regional partner of both the United States and Iran, further complicates the situation. Ensuring the safety and security of personnel and infrastructure remains a critical priority for all involved parties.
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Iraqi PM orders investigation
On January 2, 2020, three Katyusha rockets were fired at Baghdad International Airport, resulting in the deaths of four individuals and the destruction of property. The rockets landed near the airport's cargo hall, causing casualties and setting two cars ablaze. The perpetrators of the attack were unknown, and no group immediately claimed responsibility. However, the incident occurred amidst escalating tensions with the United States following a New Year's Eve attack on the US Embassy in Baghdad by Iran-backed militias.
In response to the rocket attack, Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi ordered an investigation into the incident. While the details of the specific probe into the Baghdad International Airport attack are not publicly available, al-Kadhimi has demonstrated a commitment to addressing security concerns and holding perpetrators accountable.
In May 2020, for instance, Prime Minister al-Kadhimi ordered a fact-finding committee to investigate allegations of secret government prisons being used to detain protesters. He authorised inspection teams to enter any security institution or building suspected of housing secret prisons. This move was part of his efforts to combat corruption, curb Iranian influence in state institutions, and rein in militias.
Additionally, in 2017, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi ordered an investigation into allegations of human rights abuses during the campaign to retake Mosul from the Islamic State. The investigation focused on claims that members of Iraq's security forces and a Shi'ite paramilitary group had kidnapped and abused civilians. Prime Minister al-Abadi emphasised the importance of ensuring that no human rights violations were committed under the cover of war operations.
These instances demonstrate Iraqi Prime Minister's proactive approach to addressing security concerns, investigating allegations, and ensuring accountability. While the specific details of the investigation into the Baghdad International Airport attack may not be publicly available, it aligns with the Prime Minister's efforts to maintain stability and justice in the country.
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Rockets fired from a residential area
On January 3, 2020, an airstrike killed Gen. Qassem Soleimani, the head of Iran's elite Quds Force, at Baghdad International Airport. The attack also claimed the lives of Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the deputy commander of Iran-backed militias in Iraq, and four others. Iraqi security officials reported that at least three Katyusha rockets were fired, killing four people, setting cars ablaze, and causing casualties.
The rockets landed near the airport's cargo hall, with one striking a runway and another hitting a plane. This incident occurred during heightened tensions with the United States following a New Year's Eve attack on the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad by Iran-backed militias.
While there was no immediate claim of responsibility for the rocket attack, speculation arose regarding potential retaliation by Iran and its backed groups. An initial investigation revealed that the rockets were fired from a residential area in western Baghdad, about 6 km (4 miles) northeast of the airport. Iraq's prime minister ordered an immediate probe into the security breach, and Iraqi security forces increased patrols to prevent future attacks.
The rocket attack on Baghdad International Airport underscores the fragile security situation in Iraq and the vulnerability of its critical infrastructure. With Iraq's ties to both the United States and Iran, the incident highlights the complex dynamics in the region. The investigation into the attack aims to identify the perpetrators and determine their motives.
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Frequently asked questions
It is unclear who fired the rockets at Baghdad airport in 2024, but a U.S. official disputed reports that U.S. military forces were targeted.
There were no casualties in the 2024 Baghdad airport rocket attack, but there was damage to vehicles and buildings.
It is unclear who fired rockets at Baghdad airport in 2020, but Iran’s Gen. Soleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, deputy commander of Iran-backed militias, were killed in the attack.
