At least five US personnel were injured on Monday in a suspected rocket attack on the Al Asad airbase in western Iraq, after heightened tensions in the Middle East following the killings of senior Hamas leaders, according to international media.
“We can confirm that there was a suspected rocket attack today against U.S. and Coalition forces at Al Asad Airbase, Iraq,” a Department of Defense spokesperson told the BBC, adding that an assessment of damage is ongoing.
A senior U.S. military official reported that there had been no critical injuries, nor any fatalities among the service members, according to media reports.
The attack follows a U.S. strike in Iraq last week, allegedly “in self-defense against militants preparing to launch drones against U.S. and coalition forces.”
Tensions have escalated since Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was killed in Tehran last Wednesday. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps has accused Israel, supported by the U.S., of his assassination, but Israel has not claimed responsibility.
Israel claimed responsibility for killing a top Hezbollah commander in Beirut last week, and Iran and Hezbollah have both threatened retaliations.
The Al Asad military base was previously attacked in January by Iranian-backed militias using ballistic missiles and rockets, resulting in several U.S. personnel sustaining traumatic brain injuries and at least one Iraqi service member being injured.