Several U.S. troops were wounded in a rocket attack on an air base in Iraq on Sunday. The attack took place at the Al Asad air base, which houses U.S. and coalition forces. The rocket attack comes amidst escalating tensions in the region following the U.S. withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal and the killing of top Iranian general Qasem Soleimani.
According to a U.S. official, at least two U.S. troops were wounded in the attack. The official also stated that the rockets were fired from a truck launcher in the nearby town of al-Baghdadi. The attack was the latest in a series of attacks on U.S. forces in Iraq in recent months.
The U.S. has blamed Iran-backed militias for the attacks, accusing them of trying to destabilize the region. In response, the U.S. has carried out airstrikes on militia targets in Iraq and Syria. The U.S. has also deployed additional troops to the region to protect U.S. personnel and assets.
The rocket attack on the Al Asad air base is a reminder of the dangers faced by U.S. troops in Iraq. Despite the defeat of ISIS, the country remains a volatile and unstable place. U.S. troops are at risk of attacks from a variety of groups, including ISIS, Iranian-backed militias, and other armed factions.
The U.S. presence in Iraq is a controversial issue, with many Iraqis calling for the withdrawal of U.S. forces from the country. The rocket attack on the Al Asad air base is likely to further fuel anti-U.S. sentiment in Iraq and increase pressure on the Iraqi government to expel U.S. forces.
In response to the rocket attack, President Biden condemned the attack and vowed to hold those responsible accountable. He also reiterated his commitment to protecting U.S. personnel in Iraq and elsewhere in the region.
The rocket attack on the Al Asad air base is a stark reminder of the risks faced by U.S. troops in Iraq. As tensions in the region continue to escalate, the safety and security of U.S. personnel in Iraq will remain a top priority for the Biden administration.
