At least five US personnel have been wounded in a rocket strike on an American military base in Iraq, the BBC reported on Tuesday.
The Al Asad airbase in western Iraq came under attack amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, US officials confirmed, saying the damage was still being assessed.
Two Katyushia rockets were fired at the base, with one falling inside the facility, CBS quoted security sources as saying.
A Department of Defence spokesperson said: “We can confirm that there was a suspected rocket attack today against US and Coalition forces at Al Asad Airbase, Iraq.
“Initial indications are that several US personnel were injured. Base personnel are conducting a post-attack damage assessment,” the spokesperson added.
In a statement on X, President Joe Biden said he and Vice-President Kamala Harris were briefed on developments in the Middle East.
“We received updates on threats posed by Iran and its proxies, diplomatic efforts to de-escalate regional tensions, and preparations to support Israel should it be attacked again,” he wrote.
Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh’s death in an attack on his guesthouse in Tehran last Wednesday has fuelled fresh tensions between Iran and Israel.
Visited by former presidents George W Bush and Donald Trump, the airbase has been used by the US since 2004.
According to Reuters news agency, at least five US personnel were injured in the attack. One of the Americans was seriously injured.
PAN Monitor/mud
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