Rockets hit frequently attacked US airbase in Iraq

Three rockets were fired at the Ain Al-Asad US airbase in Anbar province, western Iraq on Monday, the spokesperson for the US-led coalition has said.

The Iraqi security forces have begun to investigate the attack, state media said.

A part of the rocket launcher has been seized in the Hit district on Anbar, state media reported the military’s Security Media Cell as saying.

Initial report: At approx. 2:45 PM local time, Ain Al-Assad Air Base was attacked by three rockets. The rockets landed on the base perimeter. There are no injuries and damage is being assessed. For more information see @SecMedCell

— OIR Spokesman Col. Wayne Marotto (@OIRSpox) July 5, 2021

The Ain Al-Asad base, which hosts US personnel, is a frequent target of rocket fire and drone strikes. Other military and diplomatic sites of Western interest in Iraq have also seen drone and rocket attacks.

The attacks are blamed by the US on Iran-backed militias.

US conducted airstrikes on Iran-backed militia facilities on June 26/27 on the Iraq-Syria border, killing four militants from Brigade 14 of the Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF).

A US base in eastern Syria was hit with rockets the next day, in apparent retaliation for the airstrikes.

Iran denied on Saturday that it supported attacks on US interests in Iraq and Syria, and condemned the Pentagon’s attacks on Iran-backed militias.