At least five American personnel were injured in a rocket attack on an airbase in western Iraq.
According to two Iraqi security sources, two Katyusha rockets struck inside Al-Asad airbase on Monday. US officials, speaking anonymously to Reuters, reported that one of the injured Americans was seriously wounded. The initial casualty count may change as more information becomes available.
US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have been briefed on the incident.
The attack occurred amid heightened tensions in the Middle East, with Israel preparing for a potential ground assault orchestrated by Hamas and Iran, following the recent assassinations of Hamas and Hezbollah leaders, both backed by Iran. It is unclear if the rocket attack was connected to Iran's threats of retaliation for the Hamas leader's killing.
“We can confirm that there was a suspected rocket attack today against US and Coalition forces at Al-Asad Airbase, Iraq,” a Pentagon official said. “Initial indications are that several US personnel were injured. Base personnel are conducting a post-attack damage assessment.”
Reports indicate that over 150 attacks on US personnel in Iraq and Syria took place between October 17, 2023, and January 29, 2024. The frequency of these attacks decreased after three American troops were killed in a drone strike at a small US outpost in Jordan in January, which prompted a significant US response targeting 85 locations.
“The United States does not seek conflict in the Middle East or anywhere else in the world,” Biden said at the time. “But let all those who might seek to do us harm know this: If you harm an American, we will respond.”
