WATCH: A-10 Warthog Strikes Habbaniyah Base in Anbar — Seven Fighters Killed, 13 Wounded
via conflictobserver / Instagram
Airstrike Hits Key Base in Western Iraq
An airstrike involving an A‑10 Warthog aircraft hit the Habbaniyah base in western Iraq’s Anbar province on March 25, 2026. Local officials say the strike struck a medical clinic and an engineering area at the site. Iraqi defence ministry sources confirm that seven soldiers were killed and 13 others were wounded in the attack, which occurred in the morning and brought rescue efforts to the scene. The base is used by both the regular Iraqi Army and allied militia groups.
The site has been targeted more than once in the past week, with back‑to‑back strikes reported on March 24 and March 25. This follows a period of increased aerial operations in Anbar and other parts of Iraq as tensions have risen over recent months. Officials are now engaged in diplomatic consultations in response to the incident.
Habbaniyah’s Role and Rising Violence
Habbaniyah has long been a strategic military location in western Iraq, historically serving as a hub for the Iraqi Army and allied forces. After 2003, it became a forward operating base where Iraqi troops and support units prepared for operations in nearby areas. The presence of a medical facility and engineering units reflects its ongoing operational role.
In recent weeks, multiple aerial strikes have hit bases across Anbar that house various armed groups. Some reports from March 23 noted strikes that affected fighters linked to armed militia alliances in the province. These strikes occurred amid broader regional tensions that include other air operations in Iraq and neighbouring states.
View this post on Instagram
Aftermath and Government Response
The Iraqi government has formally protested the strike and summoned foreign diplomats to express its concerns. Officials described the attack as serious, especially since it hit a clinic at a military installation. Baghdad has stressed the importance of adhering to international rules against attacks on medical facilities and staff.
Local officials say the wounded have been moved to facilities for treatment and that security forces are reviewing the incident. The strikes have renewed debates within Iraq about foreign military actions on sovereign soil and sparked discussions among political and security leaders.
Regional Context
The strike at Habbaniyah comes against a backdrop of escalated air operations throughout Iraq’s Anbar province and other regions. Earlier strikes reportedly hit militia positions and allied infrastructure, raising tensions between government officials and external military forces operating in the area.
