American military personnel suffered minor injuries and a member of the Iraqi security forces was seriously injured in an attack on Iraq’s Ain al-Asad air base on Saturday, an American official said.
The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said initial reports indicated the base had been hit by ballistic missiles, but left open the possibility that it was hit by rockets. An assessment was underway, the official said.
Two security sources in Iraq and a government source said the base was hit by multiple rockets fired from inside Iraq.
A second US official said the attack was carried out by militants from inside Iraq.
Since the war between Israel and Hamas began in October, the US military has been attacked at least 58 times in Iraq and another 83 times in Syria by Iranian-backed militants, often with a mix of rocket and senseless drone attacks unique.
The United States has 900 troops in Syria and 2,500 in Iraq on a mission to advise and assist local forces trying to prevent the resurgence of the Islamic State, which took over large parts of both countries in 2014 before being defeated.
Iraq is deeply concerned about the possibility of becoming a battleground between the United States, Israel and Iran.
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani’s office announced measures to expel US forces following a US drone strike in Baghdad that was condemned by the government. The Pentagon said the attack killed a militia leader responsible for recent attacks on American personnel.
The Pentagon said it had not been formally informed of any plans to end the presence of American troops in the country and says its troops will be sent to Iraq at the invitation of the Baghdad government.
Source: Terra
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