Drone Strike Causes Fire at US Military Base in Baghdad

Regional outlets such as The Straits Times stress Iraqi officials’ statements that a former paramilitary base near Mosul was struck, framing the incident as part of Iraq’s struggle to control armed groups. Their coverage focuses on the local security impact rather than on US–Iran rivalry. Commentators in this block expect Baghdad to face stronger calls to rein in militias and clarify the legal status of foreign forces.

• •Iraqi security forces are struggling to prevent drone strikes on former militia bases near Mosul.
• •The hit on a former Popular Mobilisation Forces base highlights the lingering influence of armed groups in northern Iraq.
• •Baghdad faces pressure to show it can protect both Iraqi facilities and foreign-linked sites from drone attacks.
• •Unclear lines of authority over PMF-linked locations make them more vulnerable to outside strikes.
• •Debate inside Iraq over foreign troops’ presence is intensifying as these incidents continue.