By Michael Hernandez
WASHINGTON
The Pentagon on Monday dismissed a recent spate of mortar attacks on an Iraqi air base where it is training Iraqi forces.
Pentagon spokesman Col. Steve Warren described the mortar barrages from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant as “nuisance attacks” that have been “completely ineffective.”
He said that “no U.S. personnel or equipment” have come under direct fire at the al-Assad air base located northwest of the capital of Baghdad.
There are roughly 320 U.S. Marines training Iraqi forces at the base.
“The Iraqi Security Forces have been effectively providing for the defense of the base as well as conducting operations in the region to combat ISIL militants,” Pentagon spokeswoman Cmdr. Elissa Smith said.
Tasked with training and advising Iraqi forces, American troops in Iraq are expected to reach 3,000 by spring.
