Baghdad airport attack aimed at destabilizing Iraq: Iranian spokesman

A handout picture released by the Facebook page of the Iraqi Ministry of Transportation shows a damaged stationary aircraft on the tarmac of Baghdad Airport after rockets targeted the runway, on January 28, 2022.

The spokesman for the Foreign Ministry condemned a recent rocket attack on Baghdad Airport as a suspicious move aimed at upsetting the stability of, and creating insecurity in Iraq.

In a statement on Saturday, Saeed Khatibzadeh said such suspicious measures would create insecurity and chaos in Iraq, pave the way for ill-wishers and seditious moves, and adversely affect governmental services for Iraqi citizens, according to Tasnim News Agency.

The spokesman also reaffirmed Iran’s support for efforts to ensure security and stability in Iraq and for the Arab country’s development, security, and integrity.

On Friday, several rockets landed in the Baghdad International Airport compound and near an adjacent US air base, damaging at least one disused civilian airplane, Iraqi police sources said.

The police sources did not report any other damages or injuries. The damaged aircraft was an out-of-use Iraqi Airways plane, they said.

Iraq's state news agency reported, citing the country's aviation authority, that there was no disruption to travel, according to Reuters.

The US air base, known as Camp Victory, is located around the perimeter of Baghdad's civilian airport.

Rocket attacks have regularly struck the complex in recent years as sentiments against the US military presence are growing in the country.

On Jan. 5, Katyusha rockets hit Iraqi military bases hosting US forces near Baghdad's International Airport and West of the Iraqi capital.

A series of attacks this month have targeted bases or installations hosting US military and diplomatic personnel but have caused no US casualties.

A U.S.-led coalition ended its combat mission in Iraq in December, four years after Iraq's government declared victory over the Daesh terrorist group, according to AFP.

But roughly 2,500 American soldiers and 1,000 coalition soldiers will remain deployed in Iraq to offer training, advice and assistance to national forces.