A rocket attack on a base in Iraq wounded multiple US personnel on Monday, officials said, adding to already heightened regional tensions over an expected Iranian counterattack on Israel.
The rocket fire is the latest in a series of attacks targeting Ain Al-Asad base in western Iraq, which hosts American troops as well as personnel from the US-led coalition against the Islamic State jihadist group.
“There was a suspected rocket attack today against US and coalition forces” at the base, a US defence spokesperson said. “Initial indications are that several US personnel were injured.”
“Base personnel are conducting a post-attack damage assessment” and updates will be provided as more information becomes available, the spokesperson added.
US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris were briefed on the attack, the White House said.
“They discussed the steps we are taking to defend our forces and respond to any attack against our personnel in a manner and place of our choosing,” it said in a statement.
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