U.S. defense officials said a rocket attack on Ain al-Asad air base in Iraq injured several personnel.
From Reuters:
At least five U.S. personnel were injured in an attack against a military base in Iraq on Monday, U.S. officials told Reuters, as the Middle East braced for a possible new wave of attacks by Iran and its allies following last week’s killing of senior members of militant groups Hamas and Hezbollah.Two Katyusha rockets were fired at al Asad airbase in western Iraq, two Iraqi security sources said. One Iraqi security source said the rockets fell inside the base. It was unclear whether the attack was linked to threats by Iran to retaliate over the killings.
The report could still change.
“Base personnel are conducting a post-attack damage assessment,” said an official. “We will provide updates as more information becomes available.”
One American is seriously injured.
No group took responsibility. Iranian-backed Iraqi militias have attacked “bases housing U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria after a lull of several months, following a strike on a base in Jordan in late January that killed three American soldiers and prompted a series of retaliatory U.S. strikes.”
Tensions have risen in the Middle East, with Iran threatening to attack Israel soon.
Due to the threats, the U.S. has sent more fighter jets and Navy warships to the Middle East.
Iraq has 2,500 U.S. troops.
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