Two rockets struck Ain al-Asad Air Base in Iraq on Monday afternoon, wounding five U.S. service members and two U.S. contractors, a U.S. defense official told Fox News on Tuesday.
Five of the injured were being treated at Ain al-Asad air base, while two others were evacuated for further treatment, a defense official said, adding that all seven injured U.S. soldiers were in stable condition.
“The aftermath of the attack is still underway,” the official said. “We will continue to provide updates as information becomes available.”
Iraqi security officials confirmed the attack early Monday but no group has claimed responsibility, and it comes amid a recent increase in attacks on U.S. forces by Iran-backed militias.
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A rocket attack on Iraq’s Ain al-Asad air base on Monday injured five U.S. service members and two U.S. contractors, a U.S. defense official said. (AYMAN HENNA/AFP via Getty Images, File)
Hours after the attack, President Biden said on the X that he had been briefed on “the situation in the Middle East” with Vice President Kamala Harris on Monday.
“We received updates on threats posed by Iran and its proxies, diplomatic efforts to reduce regional tensions, and preparations to assist Israel if it is attacked again,” the post said. “We also discussed the steps we are taking to defend our forces and respond to attacks against our personnel in a manner and place of our choosing.”
Ain Al-Asad Air Base is located in Anbar Province, Iraq. (Reuters/Tayer Al Sudani, File)
Tensions in the Middle East have risen in recent weeks as the war between Israel and Hamas escalates.
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The assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran last week has further increased tensions in the Middle East. Israel has not publicly admitted responsibility for the assassination, but Iran and Hamas have accused the Jewish state of being behind it.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has vowed to avenge the death of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh, who was assassinated in Tehran last week. (Getty Images, File)
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Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has vowed to avenge Haniyeh’s death, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel was prepared for any scenario.
Fox News reporter Andrea Vacchiano and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
