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Pro-Iranian Iraqi faction fires 7 rockets at US-vacated base in northeastern Syria

2026-03-23 · 20:00 UTC·Hassakeh, northeastern Syria

Iraqi forces arrested four people linked to the rocket attack on a military base in Hasakeh province in northeastern Syria, Iraq's prime minister's office confirmed. The attack targeted a base that had until recently hosted US forces as part of an anti-jihadist coalition. The four suspects were handed over to 'appropriate authorities' for investigation — a notable Iraqi government response given the simultaneous NSC authorization of PMF self-defense.

A pro-Iranian Iraqi armed group launched a rocket attack on Monday against a base in the Hassakeh region of northeastern Syria that had recently been vacated by US-led anti-jihadist coalition forces. An Iraqi security official told AFP that 'an Iraqi faction fired seven Arash-4 rockets, an improved version of the Grad rocket, towards a base in the Hassakeh region.' A rocket launcher platform was found abandoned in the area. A Syrian monitor corroborated the report. The Hassakeh region in northeastern Syria hosts both US military assets supporting SDF (Syrian Democratic Forces) operations and Iranian-backed militia routes. The attack marks an expansion of Iran-aligned proxy activity into Syrian territory during the ongoing Iran-Israel war, consistent with the PMF's stated posture of targeting US assets across the region. The use of Arash-4 rockets — an improved Grad variant — indicates coordination with IRGC supply chains.

pmfiraqsyriahassakehrocketsproxyarash-4

Actor responses

Popular Mobilization ForcesSUPPORTINGMILITARY

Pro-Iranian Iraqi faction fired 7 Arash-4 rockets at US-vacated coalition base in Hassakeh, Syria — expanding proxy operations into Syrian territory during the Iran-Israel war.

United StatesOPPOSINGMILITARY

US-led coalition forces had recently vacated the targeted Hassakeh base. PMF rocket attack on the abandoned facility signals continued Iran-aligned proxy pressure across the region.

Sources

T1AFP via Times of Israel9% reliability