Two Katyusha rockets were fired at the Ain al-Assad airbase in Iraq, resulting in at least five US personnel being injured in the attack. The incident follows the recent killings of senior members of Hamas and Hezbollah, which has led to rising tensions in the region.
The White House confirmed that the president and vice president had been briefed on the attack, and US officials reported that one American was seriously injured, with up to seven military personnel and civilians hurt in total. The Iraqi security sources revealed that the rockets fell inside the base, although it is unclear if the attack is linked to threats made by Iran in retaliation for the assassination of the Hamas leader.
In response to the escalating situation, the US has deployed additional military forces to the Middle East, with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant labeling the attack as a “dangerous escalation.” The US had previously carried out a strike in Iraq against individuals believed to be planning drone attacks, heightening tensions in the region.
The conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza has led to regular hostilities involving Iran and Hezbollah, with fears of a potential all-out war. Iraq, a rare ally of both the US and Iran, plays a crucial role in the escalating tensions, hosting US soldiers and Iran-backed fighter groups connected to its security forces. The situation remains volatile as tit-for-tat attacks continue in the region.
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