7 rockets target Iraq base housing US troops; 5 hit nearby village

SAMARRA, Iraq — Seven rockets targeted an Iraqi airbase housing US troops north of Baghdad on Monday, a security source said, the latest in a string of attacks Washington routinely blames on Iran-linked factions.

The evening attack on Al-Balad did not cause any casualties or damage inside the base, the security official said.

The other five rockets crashed into a nearby village, he added, noting that all seven were fired from a separate village in the neighboring province of Diyala, east of the base.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility.

2 rockets landed in civilian areas near Al Balad military base north of #Baghdad, #Iraq. pic.twitter.com/RPNNrs2V8w

— Blesa Shaways (@Bilesa_Shaweys) March 15, 2021
There have been several such attacks in recent weeks targeting locations where US forces operate.

On March 3, an American sub-contractor was killed in a similar attack against another airbase, Ain Al-Assad, in Iraq’s western desert.

That came days after the US bombed a border depot in neighboring Syria which the Pentagon said was used by Iran-backed Iraqi armed militia that have been tied to the rocket attacks.

US President Joe Biden described the February 25 raid as a “warning” to Iran.

Damage was done to a civilian house due to the rocket strike. #Saladin #Iraq ???????? pic.twitter.com/Gr2kRH0smQ

— Aleph א ????#AliensLoveMysteriousCargos (@no_itsmyturn) March 15, 2021
Dozens of rocket attacks and roadside bombs targeted Western security, military and diplomatic sites in Iraq in 2020, blamed by Iraqi and Western military sources on hardline pro-Iran factions.

The attacks had come to a near-complete halt in October following a truce with the hardliners, but have since resumed.