Officials report that an assault on a base in Iraq has resulted in injuries to U.S. personnel.

On August 6, 2024, a rocket attack on Al Asad airbase in Iraq resulted in injuries to several U.S. personnel, according to U.S. officials. The incident involved two Katyusha rockets hitting the base, with at least five Americans reported injured, one of them seriously. This attack comes amid heightened tensions in the Middle East, following the recent assassination of senior Hamas and Hezbollah leaders, which has led to fears of retaliatory actions by Iran and its allies.

Iran has blamed the U.S. for the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, citing American support for Israel. In response to these threats, the Pentagon has announced the deployment of additional fighter jets and Navy warships to the region to strengthen defenses.

Iraq, which hosts 2,500 U.S. troops and has Iran-backed militias within its security forces, has seen an increase in attacks since the Israel-Hamas conflict began in October. The Iraqi government has expressed a desire for the U.S.-led coalition to start withdrawing troops by September, with a complete end to their mission by September 2025, although some U.S. forces may remain in an advisory role.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani recently discussed regional tensions with U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, who urged Iraq to help mitigate Iran’s response to the Israeli strike. Meanwhile, U.S. Army General Michael “Erik” Kurilla, head of U.S. Central Command, is in the Middle East coordinating with allies to prepare for potential Iranian actions against Israel.