U.S. base in northern Iraq hit by drone attack

• Jul 07 2021 11:21 Gmt+3
• Last Updated On: Jul 07 2021 11:23 Gmt+3

Unidentified assailants attacked a U.S. military base in northern Iraq with a drone armed with explosives, Reuters reported on Wednesday.

The assault follows the targeting of the Ain al-Assad air base, which houses U.S. troops, and the U.S. embassy in Baghdad with rockets and drones this week.

Flights from Erbil airport were suspended following the incident and sirens were sounded from the U.S. consulate in the city, Reuters said citing sources.

There was no indication of structural damage or injuries, the Pentagon said, adding that it was aware of reports of the attack. A spokesman for the U.S. military said a drone had “impacted” near Erbil, but that there were no injuries or damage, Reuters said.

The United States has blamed Iran-backed militants for a wave of rocket attacks on bases housing its soldiers in recent months. A drone dropped explosives near U.S. forces at Erbil airport in April, the first known attack by an unmanned aerial vehicle on the U.S. military in the area, Reuters reported.