US officials say missile defence systems now operational in Iraq

New air defence systems are now protecting American and allied forces at military bases in Iraq where troops have been attacked by Iranian-backed forces in recent months, according to US officials.

Patriot missile launchers and two other short-range systems are now in place at Ain Al Asad Air Base, where Iran carried out a massive ballistic missile attack against US and coalition troops in January, and at the military base in Erbil, the officials said. A short-range rocket defense system was installed at Camp Taji.

The military has been gradually moving the defensive systems into Iraq over the last few months to provide more protection for troops that have seen a series of rocket and missile attacks.

Soon after the Iranian missile attack on Ain Al Asad, questions were raised about the lack of air defence systems at the bases. But it has taken time to overcome tensions and negotiate with Iraqi leaders, and to also locate defence systems that could be shifted into Iraq. Prior to the missile attacks, US military leaders did not believe the systems were needed there more than in other locations around the world where such strikes are more frequent.

The Patriot batteries, which are designed to protect against missiles have been installed at Ain Al Asad and Erbil. In addition, the so-called Army C-RAM system is being used and is able to take out rockets and mortars. And the more sophisticated Avenger air defence system can counter low-flying missiles and aircraft, including drones and helicopters.

The systems are now operational, as top US officials warn that threats from Iranian proxy groups continue.

Gen Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said on Thursday that because of that threat, hundreds of soldiers from the 1st Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division, remain in Iraq.

He said only one battalion was allowed to return to the US, “in part because the situation with the Shia militia groups and Iran has not 100 per cent settled down”. He added that “they will continue their mission until such time that we think the threat has subsided”.

Several rockets hit near the site of an American oilfield service company in southern Iraq this week. It was the first such attack in recent months to target US energy interests. Americans had already left the location.

President Donald Trump said last week that his administration had received intelligence that Iran was planning a strike. He provided no details, but he warned Iran in a tweet that if US troops were attacked by Iran or its proxies, "Iran will pay a very heavy price, indeed!”

Other officials in recent weeks said there had been an increase in intelligence pointing to a possible large attack. But they said this week that the threat appeared to have tapered off, as countries grapple with the rapidly spreading coronavirus.

Still, military leaders have argued that US and coalition troops need the extra protection because threats from the Iranian proxies continue and it is unclear how much control Tehran may have over them, particularly now as the virus hits Iran hard.

In early January, the US launched an air strike in Baghdad that killed Iran’s most powerful military officer, Gen Qassem Suleimani, and Abu Mahdi Al Muhandis, a leader of the Iran-backed militias in Iraq. Washington says Kataib Hezbollah, one of those militias, has been responsible for a number of attacks on US, Iraqi and coalition forces.

The Suleimani killing triggered the Iran ballistic missile attack, which resulted in traumatic brain injuries to more than 100 American troops.

Iraqi leaders, however, were angry over the killing of Al Muhandis, and there were protests around the county calling for the withdrawal of US. troops. Those conditions made negotiations over the Patriot systems very sensitive.

In addition, Gen Frank McKenzie, the top US commander for the Middle East, told reporters that moving Patriots and other systems to Iraq was tricky because it meant he would have to take the systems from another location where they were also needed. Officials have not said where the systems in Iraq were taken from.

It also has taken time to move the large systems, piece by piece, into Iraq, assemble them and and link them together.

Tensions between Tehran and Washington have increased since Mr Trump withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal in 2018 and has steadily reimposed US sanctions on Iran that had been eased or lifted under the terms of the deal. Late last month, the administration slapped sanctions on 20 Iranian people and companies for supporting Shiite militias responsible for attacks on US forces.

Currently, there are more than 6,000 US troops in Iraq. While some forces have been withdrawn over the past few months, others have flowed in to set up and operate the new air defence systems.