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At least 10 rockets have hit a US airbase in Iraq in the latest in a series of attacks on American forces in the country.
The rockets were fired at Ain al-Asad air base, in western Anbar province, around 7.20am Wednesday from a launcher located five miles from the base, sources said.
At first, there were no casualties reported as a result of the attack. However, later, the security sources reported that a civilian contractor died in the attack.
It is not yet clear who carried out the strikes but it comes days after US President Joe Biden approved his first airstrike – an attack on two Iranian-backed Shia militia groups in Syria that left 22 dead.
Western security sources told AFP the rockets were Iranian-made Arash models, which are 122mm artillery rockets and heavier than those seen in similar attacks.
The attack also comes ahead of Pope Francis’s visit to Iraq, which is due to begin on Friday and will mark the first time a pope has been to the country.
The US military later confirmed the rocket attack, saying that the rockets were fired by the IDF, adding that Iraqi security forces are leading an investigation.
Previously there were reports of 107mm projectiles on social media.
However, Iraqi militias later claimed responsibility.
On 8 January, the Ain Al Asad Airbase as well as the Erbil Airbase in the country’s north was hit by dozen missiles launched by Iran in response to Soleimani killing.
