(Fallouja) Five rockets fell Monday on a base in western Iraq which houses troops of the international anti-jihadist coalition, without causing any casualties or damage, announced a coalition official.
Posted yesterday at 5:05 p.m.
An Iraqi security source in the province of Al-Anbar had initially reported “the fall of three rockets near the base of Ain al-Assad”, under the control of the Iraqi armed forces, but which hosts troops from the international coalition, led by the United States to fight against the jihadists of the Islamic State (IS) group.
“Initial reports indicate that five rockets hit the base. Iraqi security forces responded,” said a coalition official, speaking on condition of anonymity.
“There are no casualties or damage reported at this time,” the official said.
The Ain al-Assad base is frequently targeted by rocket fire and armed drones. The last such incident dates back to April 30, when two rockets fell near the base, causing no casualties or damage.
This attack had been claimed by a group, unknown until then, called “International Resistance” on a pro-Iran Telegram channel, very hostile to the American military presence in Iraq.
In general, in recent months, rocket attacks or booby-trapped drone attacks have targeted US troops and interests in Iraq.
They are generally not claimed, the United States systematically attributing them to pro-Iran factions.
On December 9, 2021, Iraq announced the “end of the combat mission” of the international coalition, which to this day retains its personnel on Iraqi soil to continue a training and advisory role.
These foreign troops had already been acting as advisers and trainers for more than a year, after helping Iraqi forces defeat IS.
Some 2,500 American soldiers and a thousand soldiers from other member countries of the coalition are today stationed on three bases held by Iraqi forces, including that of Ain al-Assad.