2024-01-20T16:31:21+00:00
A-
A
A+
/ An American official announced on Saturday that the Ain al-Assad base, which hosts American forces in Iraq, was bombed, causing minor injuries among Americans.
Reuters quoted the American official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, that initial reports indicate that the base was bombed with ballistic missiles, and perhaps other types of missiles, adding that the assessment is continuing.
The American official said that the additional assessment does not clarify whether the Ain al-Assad base was bombed by missiles or shells, and the situation is being evaluated.
The official stated that preliminary assessments, subject to change, indicate that American personnel were slightly injured, while an Iraqi security force member was seriously injured.
In turn, Agence France-Presse quoted Iraqi security sources and an American military official as saying that about ten missiles were fired on Saturday at the military base where American soldiers and forces from the international coalition against jihadist organizations are deployed.
A US military official, on condition of anonymity, said that several missiles “hit Ain al-Asad Air Base” in Anbar Governorate.
He confirmed that a “preliminary damage assessment” is now being conducted, but “preliminary” information indicates that “a member of the Iraqi security forces was seriously injured.”
Washington has so far counted more than 100 attacks against its forces in Iraq and Syria since October 17.
In response to these attacks, Washington launched several strikes in Iraq against militants in factions allied with Iran.
The factions allied with Iran object to American support for Israel in its war against Hamas, which broke out with an unprecedented attack by the Palestinian movement on southern Israel on October 7.
There are approximately 2,500 American soldiers in Iraq, while about 900 American soldiers are deployed in Syria, as part of the efforts made by Washington to prevent the return of ISIS.