Coalition airbase in Iraq struck by not less than 10 rockets, US spokesman confirms, simply days earlier than Pope’s historic go to

A coalition airbase within the western Iraqi province of Anbar has been struck by not less than 10 missiles, simply two weeks after a rocket assault on US-led forces in northern Iraq killed a civilian contractor.

On Wednesday, Colonel Wayne Marotto, spokesman for the US army in Iraq and Operation Inherent Resolve, confirmed that the Ain al-Asad airbase had been hit by not less than 10 oblique hearth missiles. 

Marotto mentioned that the bottom, which homes each US and coalition troops, was struck at roughly 7:20am (four:20am GMT). It’s as but unclear if there are any casualties.

An unnamed supply from Baghdad Operations Command advised Reuters that round 13 rockets had been launched from a location eight kilometers (5 miles) from the bottom. 

It’s the first assault on coalition positions for the reason that US launched airstrikes on Iranian-backed militia in Syria final week. 

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The bottom was focused in January 2020 by Iranian forces, launched in response to the US assassination of Iranian Common Qassem Soleimani. In complete, not less than 11 Qiam missiles had been fired at Ain al-Asad within the Iranian counterattack, based on the protection secretary on the time, Mark Esper – although CBS’ reporting put the determine at 16, stating that a number of projectiles had misfired. 

Wednesday’s assault comes simply two weeks after a rocket assault struck the northern Iraqi metropolis of Erbil, killing an American civilian and injuring others, together with US service members. 

Regardless of the deteriorating safety state of affairs, which has additionally seen a suicide bombing in Baghdad, the primary large assault in three years, Pope Francis is because of begin a three-day go to to Iraq on Friday.

He’s set to go to Baghdad, Najaf, Nassiriya, and war-torn Mosul.

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