Rockets hit Iraqi military base hosting U.S. contractors, security officials say

[Boats]

Rockets hit Iraqi military base hosting U.S. contractors, security officials say
By: Reuters Staff - 03-15-21
Re: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-i...B72JN?rpc=401&

TIKRIT, Iraq (Reuters) -At least five rockets hit the Iraqi military air base of Balad north of Baghdad on Monday, without causing casualties, Iraqi security officials said.

The Iraqi military said two additional rockets fell outside the Balad air base and caused damage to a civilian house, with no casualties reported.

No group immediately claimed the attack, but armed groups that some Iraqi officials have said are backed by Iran have claimed similar incidents in the past.

Several rocket attacks last month on the Erbil International Airport compound killed a contractor working with U.S. forces at the military base part of the compound and wounded eight civilian contractors and one U.S. service member.

U.S. officials blame Iran-backed militias for regular rocket attacks on U.S. facilities in Iraq, including near the embassy in Baghdad.

Iran-aligned paramilitary groups have demanded that all foreign troops, including U.S. forces who number around 2,500 in Iraq, leave the country, calling their presence an occupation.

A U.S.-led coalition, whose mission is to fight Islamic State militants, is still stationed in Iraq, as well as a NATO-led mission that trains Iraqi security forces.

Reporting by: Ghazwan Hassan and Ahmed RasheedEditing by Chris Reese and Will Dunham