Several American personnel were injured in an attack on a military base in Iraq on Monday, three US officials told Reuters. Concerns have risen in the region after the killing of senior members of militant groups Hamas and Hezbollah last week.
The suspected rocket attack hit Iraq’s Al Asad airbase, the officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity. They said they were citing preliminary information that could change.
“The base’s staff are assessing the damage following the attack,” an official said.
Security sources said two Katyusha rockets were fired at the base in western Iraq on Monday. One security source said the rockets fell inside the base.
Last week, the United States carried out strikes in Iraq against individuals who American officials said were terrorists who were preparing to carry out drone attacks and posed a threat to American and coalition forces.
The US is hoping that Iran will fulfil its promise to respond to the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran two days ago – one of a series of assassinations of senior leaders of the Palestinian militant group during the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
The Pentagon has said it will deploy additional fighter jets and naval warships to the Middle East, as Washington seeks to bolster security following threats from Iran and its allies Hamas and Hezbollah.