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| Iraq | |
| Two rockets targeted a military base in #Kirkuk which hosts #US troops, no casualties reported | |
| 2020-02-14 | |
[PUBLISH.TWITTER]
An official for the US-led coalition to defeat the Islamic State group (ISIS) told Rudaw English a single rocket hit in the K1 base. Iraq’s Security Media Cell confirmed the incident in a tweet. “A rocket fell in the K1 base in Kirkuk province without causing any damage worth mentioning,” the cell said. Security forces searched the area and discovered a launch pad containing 11 unfired rockets, the cell added. Citing three Iraqi security sources, AFP reported the attack occurred at 8:45 PM local time. Approximately 5,200 US troops are stationed across several Iraqi military bases as part of the global anti-ISIS coalition to train and support local forces. These bases, however, have repeatedly come under rocket attack in recent months. Iran-backed militias affiliated with the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), also known as Hashd al-Shaabi, are believed to be responsible. A similar attack on December 27 targeting the K1 base killed a US civilian contractor and injured other servicemen, escalating tensions between the US and Iran. The death of a US citizen was a redline for the Americans, who on December 29 conducted retaliatory airstrikes against Kataib Hezbollah, a Shiite militia largely thought responsible for the K1 attack, killing 25 fighters. Kataib Hezbollah supports then stormed the US embassy compound in Baghdad. Related: K1 military base: 2019-12-31 The possible ramifications of US airstrikes on Hashd al-Shaabi K1 military base: 2019-12-30 Abu Ali al-Khazali was a close associate of Qassem Suleimani - killed by USAF. K1 military base: 2019-12-28 US civilian contractor killed and several US and Iraqi personnel wounded in Kirkuk rocket attack | |
| Posted by:Fred |