Rocket attack targets military base housing US forces in Iraq

BAGHDAD

A rocket attack on Sunday targeted the Ain Al-Asad Air Base which houses US forces in Iraq’s western Anbar province, according to the Iraq Defense Ministry.

A ministry statement said an investigation has been launched to uncover those behind the Katyusha rocket attack from the direction of the capital Baghdad.

An Iraqi army officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the rocket fell in the vicinity of the base.

No injuries or damage were reported and no group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack.

Ain Al-Asad base is located in the Al-Baghdadi district, 90 km west of Ramadi, the capital of Anbar province. It is the largest military base for US forces in Iraq and was visited by former President Donald Trump on Dec. 26, 2018.

Over the past months, military bases housing US forces in Iraq have been targeted with missile attacks and Washington has often accused armed factions loyal to Iran of being responsible.

Currently, there are around 3,000 troops, including 2,500 US forces, fighting in the anti-Daesh/ISIS coalition.

Iraqi political forces have called for the withdrawal of the US troops from the country under a parliamentary decision issued on Jan. 5, 2020.

*Writing by Ibrahim Mukhtar in Ankara