Suspected Rocket Attack Injures US Personnel at Iraqi Base Amid Rising Middle East Tensions

Several US personnel were injured in a suspected rocket attack at a military base in Iraq, linked to Iranian-backed militias. The incident follows escalating Middle East tensions after senior Hezbollah and Hamas leaders were killed, allegedly by Israeli strikes. Official assessments of injuries and damage are ongoing.

Several US personnel were injured in a suspected rocket attack at a military base in Iraq, U.S. defense officials disclosed on Monday. The attack is part of a growing number of strikes on American forces by Iranian-backed militias.

As tensions mount across the Middle East following the assassinations of high-profile Hezbollah and Hamas leaders, U.S. defense officials reported that troops at al-Asad air base are assessing injuries. Preliminary counts indicate that up to seven military personnel and civilians were injured. Meanwhile, no group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

U.S. officials also investigated a potential second attack on the base but concluded no further strike had occurred. The president and vice president have been briefed on the incident.

Recent weeks have seen Iranian-backed Iraqi militias ramp up attacks on bases harboring U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria, after a deadly January strike in Jordan. The militant group's activities are purportedly in retaliation for U.S. support of Israel in its conflict against Hamas in Gaza.

(With inputs from agencies.)