U.S. officials spoke on condition of anonymity to offer a little more detail about the U.S. personnel who were injured during an attack in Iraq on Monday.
At least one of two Katyusha rockets fired at Al Asad Airbase landed inside the base, causing the injuries.
“We can confirm that there was a suspected rocket attack today against U.S. and Coalition forces at Al Asad Airbase, Iraq. Initial indications are that several U.S. personnel were injured,” a statement said.
The source said one of the wounded Americans is said to be seriously injured and the report of five total is only a preliminary count.
“Base personnel are conducting a post-attack damage assessment,” they said.
It was unclear whether the attack was linked to threats by Iran to retaliate for the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, according to Reuters.
Last month, Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh said a previous drone attack on Al-Asad was “most likely” carried out by Iranian-supported groups.
“We know that these are IRGC-backed militias that have launched these attacks on US forces in the past. Most likely than not, it is one of those affiliate groups,” Singh said on July 18.
President Biden and Vice President Harris were updated on the attack and the threats posed by Iran and its proxies.
An Iraq-based militia, which is considered to be one of Iran’s so-called proxy groups claimed to have launched the assault on the base, according to RFE.
Iranian media released a video claiming to show the vehicle used to launch the missiles that hit Al Asad Airbase.
The truck which loaded and transported the katiousha which hit the Ain al Asad american base in #Iraq..#USA pic.twitter.com/oHXzOami0i
— Aiham Souliman (@Aiham_souliman) August 5, 2024
Jihadi SM accounts are claiming they killed 6 and injured 19 US personnel in this attack.
Last week, the Army National Guard announced the deaths of Spc. Travis Jordan Pameni and Spc. Owen James Elliott in Iraq from “non-combat” related incidents.
They stated Pameni died in Baghdad after an incident in another location they would not disclose.
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