Several members of the US military sustained injuries in a missile attack on Al Asad airbase in western Iraq.
The assault, carried out by an Iran-backed militia, involved ballistic missiles and rockets targeting the airbase hosting American troops, according to the US military’s Central Command.
During the attack on Saturday evening, an unspecified number of US personnel experienced injuries requiring evaluation for traumatic brain injuries.
Additionally, at least one Iraqi service member was wounded in the strike.
The group claiming responsibility for the attack, known as the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, emerged in late 2023 and is composed of various Iran-affiliated armed groups operating in Iraq, as per the Washington Institute for Near East Policy.
This group has asserted responsibility for multiple recent attacks against US forces, with Al Asad airbase being a repeated target in recent years.
Although most of the missiles launched on Saturday were intercepted, some managed to evade air defenses and hit the base.
The US military is currently assessing the extent of the damage.
This incident is part of a series of attacks on US positions in Iraq and Syria by Iran’s proxies in the aftermath of the Israel-Gaza conflict that began last October.
US forces, along with allies, have also intervened to counter Houthi missile attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea.
On the same day, the US military conducted an airstrike against the Houthis, an Iran-backed rebel group controlling much of western Yemen.
The airstrike targeted a launch site where an anti-ship missile aimed into the Gulf of Aden was identified and prepared for launch.
In recent days, the Iranian military has conducted several missile strikes against targets in Syria, Iraq, and Pakistan.
Additionally, Iran accused Israel of carrying out an airstrike in the Syrian capital, Damascus, resulting in the death of five senior members of Iran’s security forces.
