US contractors stranded in Iraq under threat of imminent attack: ‘We are sitting ducks’

The Guardian - World NewsCenter-LeftEN 4 min read 100% complete by Katie McQueMarch 18, 2026 at 02:19 PM

AI Summary

long article 4 min

Hundreds of US contractors are stranded at Martyr Brigadier General Ali Flaih Air Base (formerly Balad Air Base) in Iraq, facing a potential attack from Iran-backed militants after Ramadan. The contractors, employed to support the Iraqi government's F-16 program, feel vulnerable due to a perceived lack of preventative security measures. Iraqi workers have warned their foreign colleagues about the planned attack, with some Iraqi military and contract employees allegedly providing information to the militants. The Islamic Resistance, linked to the Popular Mobilization Forces, is reportedly gathering intelligence on the base's foreign population. The contractors are unable to leave due to dangerous road conditions and airspace closures resulting from drone and missile activity.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Chatham House 35% Renad Mansour ×240% Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani 50% Baghdad 60% Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) 70% Iran 70% V2X ×375% Islamic Resistance ×280% United States ×280% Martyr Brigadier General Ali Flaih Air Base (Balad Air Base) ×385% Iraq ×290%

Keywords

iraq 90% us contractors 90% attack threat 80% military base 70% iran-backed militants 70% security 60% islamic resistance 60% popular mobilization forces 50% f-16 fighter jet program 50%