Iraqi Air Force Aircraft Destroyed in Rocket Attack on Balad Air Base

PUKMEDIA

Iraqi Defence Ministry.

The Iraqi Ministry of Defence has confirmed that an Iraqi Air Force aircraft was destroyed after Martyr Mohammed Alaa Air Base, also known as Balad Air Base, came under attack by Grad rockets.

In a statement obtained by PUKMEDIA, the Ministry said the base was targeted at 1:55 am by 122mm Grad rockets fired from the outskirts of Baghdad.

The attack resulted in the destruction of an Antonov-132 aircraft belonging to the Iraqi Air Force, although no casualties were reported. Authorities have since launched an investigation to assess the extent of the damage and identify the source of the rocket fire.

The Ministry of Defence strongly condemned the incident, describing it as a “cowardly and criminal act” aimed at undermining Iraq’s military capabilities. It stressed that the country’s security forces are committed to protecting citizens and safeguarding national sovereignty, noting that military equipment and aircraft represent national assets that must be defended against sabotage and destabilisation attempts.

Officials also pledged that they “will not hesitate to pursue anyone who dares to threaten Iraq’s security and sovereignty.”

Reassuring the public, the Ministry added that such attacks will not impact the operational readiness of Iraq’s armed forces, and vowed that any response would be “decisive, lawful, and aimed at preserving the country’s security and stability.”


PUKMEDIA