BBC visits heavily targeted US-UK base in Iraq #Iraq #War #BBCNews
BBC journalists visited a heavily targeted US-UK military base in Iraq, where up to 28 drones and missiles were fired at it daily before a ceasefire. The base uses an air defense system called Rapid Sentry, which shot down over 100 drones in just over a month. Tensions remain high as Iranian-backed Iraqi militia continue to fire drones nearby.
Summary
BBC journalists were granted rare access to a US-UK military base in Iraq — one of the most heavily targeted in the Middle East prior to a ceasefire. At its peak, the base faced up to 28 drones and missiles fired at it per day, creating an extremely dangerous environment for personnel stationed there.
The base relies on an air defense system called Rapid Sentry, positioned on a hill, which has been instrumental in protecting lives. In just over a month, the system shot down more than 100 drones. RAF gunners operating the system have less than a minute to detect, track, and destroy incoming threats, requiring rapid and repeated engagement cycles.
One RAF gunner described the intense operational tempo, recounting a night where 14 drones were engaged in a single evening, requiring constant movement — loading missiles, firing, and repeating the cycle. The gunner acknowledged having several close shaves, though declined to go into specific details, noting that both British and American personnel had experienced close encounters.
Despite the ceasefire making the BBC visit possible, tensions remain elevated. Iranian-backed Iraqi militia were still firing drones in the vicinity during the journalists' visit, with crew members observing what appeared to be low-level ground explosions nearby. The future of the ceasefire and the security situation at the base remains uncertain.
Key Insights
- A soldier describes the psychological and physical reality of being under attack — lying face down while sirens sound and weapons detonate nearby — calling it 'bloody difficult.'
- The Rapid Sentry air defense system on the base shot down more than 100 drones in just over a month, highlighting the extraordinary scale of the drone threat faced by personnel.
- RAF gunners operating Rapid Sentry have less than a minute to detect, track, and destroy incoming drones, requiring an extremely fast and repeated engagement cycle.
- An RAF gunner recounts engaging 14 drones in a single night, describing a relentless cycle of loading missiles and firing, and noting that the tempo of attacks remained high even during daytime hours.
- Iranian-backed Iraqi militia were still actively firing drones near the base during the BBC visit itself, with crew observing what appeared to be low-level ground explosions, underscoring that the ceasefire has not fully ended hostilities.
Topics
Transcript
[0:00] Before the ceasefire, this was one of the most heavily targeted US and UK military bases in the Middle East with up to 28 drones and missiles fired at it a day. >> You are lying face down flat with these sirens going off with these noises overhead and you hear impacts. You hear weapons of destruction going off around you and it's it's bloody difficult. >> This is the air defense system that's helped save their lives. We can't say where the base is other than Iraq. [0:31] >> Just to give you a sense of the threat here, they've shot down more than a 100 drones in just over a month using this system up on that…
Full transcript available for MurmurCast members
Sign Up to AccessMore from BBC News
'One if not the largest strikes by Russia on Kyiv since war began'. #Ukraine #Russia #BBCNews
Russia launched one of its largest aerial assaults on Kyiv since the start of the war, involving hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles. While most were intercepted, several struck civilian areas including a metro station, shopping center, and residential block. The attack signals that President Putin remains committed to continuing the war.
At least 82 killed in Chinese coal mine explosion. #China #BBCNews
A gas explosion at the Liucheng New Mine in Shanxi, China killed at least 82 workers and hospitalized over 100, making it the worst mining accident in the country in over a decade. Rescue robots are being deployed to reach potentially trapped survivors in toxic tunnels. The incident raises questions about mine safety despite years of stricter regulations.
DR Congo reports more than 200 Ebola deaths | BBC News
The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has killed 204 people across three provinces with 867 suspected cases, marking the worst African outbreak in a decade. The Africa CDC has warned 10 countries are at risk, prompting regional surveillance efforts. Response efforts are severely hampered by the M23 rebel conflict in eastern Congo, which has restricted access to affected territories.
Spirit Airlines shutting down after rescue talks collapse | BBC News
Spirit Airlines has ceased operations after failing to secure government bailout funding, becoming the first major US airline casualty in 25 years. The collapse is largely attributed to the Iran war, which has caused jet fuel prices to nearly double, creating unsustainable cost pressures. Aviation consultant Paul Charles warns that other smaller carriers may face similar fates in the coming days.
Is this the true face of Anne Boleyn? | BBC News
A BBC News segment investigates whether facial recognition technology can identify a true portrait of Anne Boleyn, wife of Henry VIII. A University of Bradford team applied facial recognition to historical sketches, proposing that the traditionally accepted portrait may actually depict her mother. Art historians remain deeply skeptical of the methodology.