Several US personnel were injured in a suspected rocket attack on an American military base in Iraq, according to US officials. The incident occurred amid heightened tensions in the Middle East, as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken described the region as being at a critical juncture following the recent deaths of senior Hamas and Hezbollah leaders.
The Al Asad airbase in western Iraq was targeted, with officials currently assessing the extent of the damage caused by the attack. The identities of those responsible for the assault have not yet been disclosed.
Security sources reported that two Katyusha rockets were fired at the base, with one landing inside the compound. A statement from a Department of Defense spokesperson confirmed the suspected attack, noting that “initial indications are that several US personnel were injured,” while base personnel are conducting a post-attack damage assessment. The exact number of injured personnel and the severity of their injuries remain unclear.
President Joe Biden has been briefed on the situation, with a White House official providing updates. This attack follows a US airstrike in Iraq last week, described as an act of self-defense against militants allegedly preparing to launch drone attacks against US and coalition forces.
Tensions have escalated following the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, an incident that Iran’s Revolutionary Guard has attributed to Israel, claiming US support in the operation. Israel has not commented on Haniyeh’s death, but it did carry out an airstrike last week that resulted in the death of a senior Hezbollah commander in southern Beirut.
In response to these events, both Iran and Hezbollah have threatened retaliation against Israel. The Al Asad base itself has a history of being targeted, previously suffering attacks from Iranian-backed militias, which launched ballistic missiles and rockets earlier this year, with many intercepted by US defenses. Following past incidents, several US personnel were evaluated for traumatic brain injuries, alongside at least one Iraqi service member who was wounded.
The Al Asad airbase has played a significant role in US military operations since its establishment in 2004 and has been visited by multiple US presidents throughout its history.
