Security Media Cell denies US aircraft landed at Ain al-Asad

BAGHDAD — Iraq’s Security Media Cell denied Sunday that U.S. aircraft had landed at Ain al-Asad Air Base in Anbar governorate, calling reports circulating online “completely and entirely false and not based on any official information or statements.”

Its chief, Lt. Gen. Saad Maan, said social media platforms and media outlets had circulated claims about American aircraft landing at the base, and urged people to rely on official sources and not be drawn into rumors.

The claims spread Saturday night amid speculation about possible U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran. Posts citing unnamed local sources said three U.S. aircraft had landed at Ain al-Asad and that a convoy had left the base toward Nukhaib in Anbar governorate.

U.S. forces withdrew from Ain al-Asad in January and Iraqi forces took full control. The Higher Military Committee said on Jan. 18 that the departure of remaining coalition advisers from the base and from the Joint Operations Command headquarters completed the first phase of the coalition’s withdrawal from federal Iraq, under a phased agreement reached by Baghdad and Washington in 2024.

The Security Media Cell is Iraq’s official body for communicating security and military developments. It is administratively part of the Joint Operations Command and supervised by the prime minister’s media office.