An Iraqi veteran and security expert on Wednesday told The New Region that a “harsh” American response to the injury of five of its personnel in the Ain al-Asad attack is anticipated.

Speaking to The New Region, A’yad Toufan said that the US had previously not made it a habit to respond to attacks on its interest in Iraq, until their personnel were harmed.

“All these strikes were largely ineffective and could be considered akin to fireworks,” he said. “However, when they (armed groups) attacked Tower 22 base on the Syrian-Jordanian border, resulting in the death of three soldiers, the Americans began to respond more frequently, killing many leaders and targeting command and control centers.”

“After the attack on Ain al-Asad base last Monday night, where five Americans were injured, this is considered a breach of American national security, a matter on which there is bipartisan consensus regardless of whether the occupant of the White House is a Republican or Democrat,” he added.

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq claimed responsibility for a missile and drone attack on the Ain al-Asad airbase in western Iraq on Monday, injuring at least five U.S. military personnel. 

A group, calling themselves "The Revolutionaries”, launched the attack from Anbar’s Haditha district and vowed to continue until US troops leave Iraq.

Speaking to reporters on Monday, US State Department Matthew Miller said that they have spoken to the Iraqi government about the attack that injured their personnel.

“They have announced publicly that they have launched an investigation and arrested a number of suspects in connection with the attack,” Miller said.

An Iraqi paramilitary commander on Tuesday told The New Region that the attack was in response to an attack the week earlier on Jurf al-Sakhar.

Toufan saw a strong US response as very likely given that their troops were affected.

“I expect there will be very harsh responses, including assassinations of the leaders of these armed groups and the destruction of their command centers, weapons depots, and missile storage facilities,” Toufan said.