US military base in Iraq attacked by rockets, at least 5 injured

The tension in the Middle East region has escalated further following the killing of senior members of the radical organizations Hamas and Hezbollah last week. Reports indicate that on Monday (August 5), a military base in Iraq came under attack, resulting in at least five American troops being injured.

According to two Iraqi security officials quoted by Reuters, two Katyusha rockets hit the Assad Air Base in Anbar province, western Iraq. It is still not clear whether this attack is related to Iran’s threat of retaliation for the assassination incidents.

An unnamed U.S. official told Reuters that one of the injured Americans is in serious condition. The casualty figures are based on preliminary reports and may change.

One official added, “Base personnel are conducting damage assessment after the attack.”

The United States is closely monitoring Iran’s next actions. Last Wednesday (July 31), Iran claimed that the U.S. was responsible for the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniya in Tehran because of the U.S. support for Israel.

Iraq is both an ally of the United States and Iran. There are 2,500 American troops stationed in Iraq, but its security forces also include Iranian-backed militias. Since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war in October last year, Iran’s attacks against the U.S. have been escalating.

Since October 7 last year, Iranian-backed militias have launched dozens of attacks against U.S. troops stationed in Baghdad and neighboring Syria.

Last Tuesday (July 30), the U.S. military carried out a “defensive” airstrike on a target in southern Baghdad, targeting armed groups attempting to launch drone attacks on American and coalition forces.

The Pentagon announced last Friday (August 2) that it will deploy warships and fighter jets to the Middle East. Facing the terrorist threats from Iran and its proxies Hamas and Hezbollah, Washington is seeking to strengthen defense.

U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken held talks with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani last Sunday (August 4).

An Iraqi official said Blinken requested Sudani’s help in persuading Iran to ease its response to the killing of the Hamas leader in Tehran last week, in order to alleviate regional tensions.

U.S. Central Command Commander Michael Erik Kurilla is currently in the Middle East. A U.S. official said Kurilla is holding talks with allies to ensure coordination in the event of an Iranian attack on Israel.