(DailyEmailNews.com) – In an alarming escalation of regional tensions, a suspected rocket attack recently targeted the Ain al-Asad air base in Iraq, where both U.S. and coalition forces are stationed.
According to a Department of Defense spokesperson, “Initial indications are that several U.S. personnel were injured.”
However, details about the extent of the injuries or the exact number of personnel impacted are still being clarified.
The attack involved two Katyusha rockets, with two Iraqi security sources informing Reuters that both rockets landed within the base’s perimeter.
It remains uncertain if this assault was connected to Iran’s threats of retaliation following the recent killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh.
Following the incident, military officials at the base carried out a damage assessment to evaluate both the immediate impact of the attack and any significant structural damage to the facilities.
The White House has confirmed that Joe Biden has been briеfed on the situation.
In response to the attack, both Biden and Kamala Harris have discussed strategies to “defend our forces and respond to any attack against our personnel in a manner and place of our choosing,” as noted in a press release.
Although the attackers’ identities have not been claimed by any group, the incident adds to the growing tеnsions in the Middle East.
This follows the killings of a senior Hezbollah commander in Lebanon and Hamas’ top political leader in Iran last week.
The two attacks are suspected to have been carried out by Israeli forces. Both Hezbollah and Hamas are supported by Iran.
Recently, Iranian-backed Iraqi militias restarted attacks against U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria.
This comes after a relatively calm period following an attack on a Jordanian base in late January, which killed three American soldiers and prompted a series of U.S. retaliatory strikes.
From October to January, an organization known as the Islamic Resistance in Iraq claimed responsibility for several attacks.
These were described as retaliation against the U.S. for its support of Israel in the Gaza conflict, aiming to expel U.S. troops from the region.
In light of the current escalation, Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder stated that U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin had discussed steps to reinforcе U.S. military positioning in the region due to the increasing threats.
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