BAGHDAD: On Tuesday, Iraq’s military has condemned “reckless” activities against its bases and said it had captured a truck having a rocket launcher on Monday after at least five US personnel were hurt in an attack that saw the Middle East conflict escalate.
The Gaza war has put the region on high alert amid concerns of retaliatory attacks by Iran and allies over the killing of top figures from militant groups Hamas and Hezbollah.
“Iraq’s military rejects all reckless acts or behaviors towards Iraqi bases, diplomatic missions as well as places where international coalition’s counsellors are staying thereby causing tension in the region,” reads an Iraqi militar statement.
Although Reuters was told by American officials that several US personnel were injured, military did not confirm this but admitted that two rockets flew into Ain al-Asad air base located in western part of the country yesterday from Haditha which is nearby the town they were fired from.
A small truck with a rocket launcher mounted on its back was seized. Eight unfired rockets have been disarmed according to the same statement.
“Formations within our security forces have obtained vital information about those behind this assault on Ain al-Assad through intelligence and security work and they currently are being pursued so as to be arraigned before justice,” adds another part of the same statement without revealing further details.
Iraq hosts 2,500 US troops who coexist with Iran-backed militias tied to its security forces in a country that is already one of America’s rare bridges between Tehran and Washington. Since Israel-Hamas war started last October, there have been escalating reciprocal strikes.
