At least five US military personnel were wounded in an attack on a military base in Iraq on Monday, US officials told Reuters, at a time of tension in the Middle East amid concerns about a possible new wave of attacks by Iran and its allies in the region, following the killing last week of senior members of the militant groups Hamas and Hezbollah.
Two Katyusha missiles hit al Asad air base in western Iraq, two Iraqi security sources said. An Iraqi security source said the missiles landed inside the base. It was not clear whether the attack was linked to Iran's threats to retaliate over the killings.
On Wednesday, Iran said the US bears responsibility for the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran because of his support for Israel.
US officials, who spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity, said one of the soldiers was seriously wounded. The death toll is based on initial reports and details may change, they said. “Base personnel are conducting a damage assessment following the attack,” one of the officials added.
Last week, the United States launched a strike in Iraq against individuals that US officials said were militants who were preparing to shoot down drones and posed a threat to US and coalition forces.
The Pentagon has said it will deploy additional warplanes and navy warships to the Middle East as Washington tries to bolster defenses following threats from Iran and its allies Hamas and Hezbollah.
Iraq has an unusual position, being both an ally of the US and Iran. There are 2,500 American troops in Iraq, but also militant groups supported by Iran that have ties to the country's security forces.
