AT LEAST three rockets have hit the Ain al-Asad airbase in Iraq, which houses US troops as tensions escalate following American airstrikes on Iranian-backed militias.
US Army Colonel Wayne Marotto, spokesman for the US-led international military coalition, tweeted that initial reports suggested the attack took place at 2.45pm on Monday.
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The base was struck by rockets on Monday Credit: AP:Associated Press 8
The attack happened at 2.45pm local time
He said the damage was being assessed, but that the rockets landed on the perimeter of the base.
Washington has accused Iran-backed militia groups of launching regular rocket attacks against US troops in Iraq.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility for Monday's attack, which came days after US forces were fired upon in Syria following airstrikes ordered by President Biden on Iranian-backed militias.
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The US Government launched airstrikes on Iran-backed militants last week
At the time, Maratto tweeted: "US Forces in Syria were attacked by multiple rockets. There are no injuries and damage is being assessed. We will provide updates when we have more information."
He later added: "Update: US Forces in Syria, while under multiple rocket attack, acted in self-defense and conducted counter-battery artillery fire at rocket launching positions."
A source told CNN the rockets were likely fired by Iranian-backed militias.
The attack took place at site dubbed the "Green Village". The oil field is in the larger security zone where US troops help to protect Syrian fighters.
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Rockets have blasted the US base in Syria after Biden's airstrikes on Iranian militias Credit: Reuters 8
Col. Wayne Maratto tweeted about the incident on Monday Credit: Twitter/@OIRSpox 8
He later added: Update: U.S. Forces in Syria, while under multiple rocket attack, acted in self- defense' Credit: Twitter/@OIRSpox
The Biden administration had launched strikes on two targets in Syria and one in Iraq close to the border on Sunday.
Footage shows US F-15 and F-16 fighter jets carrying out the airstrikes on the militias as they dropped 500-2,000 pound satellite-guided missiles on the targets.
Pilots targeted their drone facilities that were used to attack US troops in Iraq.
Pentagon press secretary John Kirby said that the sites targeted were used for “operational and weapons” storage by militia groups including Kata’ib Hezbollah and Kata’ib Sayyid al-Shuhada.
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Strikes were launched on two targets in Syria and one close to the Iraq border Credit: DVIDS 8
The Pentagon said Biden launched the strikes to 'protect the US' Credit: DVIDS
He added that the facilities could launch unmanned aerial vehicle attacks against US troops in Iraq.
Kirby said that Biden was protecting the US in carrying out the strikes.
He said: "As demonstrated by this evening’s strikes, President Biden has been clear that he will act to protect US personnel."
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“Given the ongoing series of attacks by Iran-backed groups targeting US interests in Iraq, the President directed further military action to disrupt and deter such attacks.”
White House press secretary Jen Psaki said on Monday: "The President's view is that it was necessary, appropriate, and a deliberate action... designed to limit the risk of escalation.
"We will take, and he believes, we should and will take, necessary appropriate measures to defend US personnel, partners, and allies in the region."
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