Attack strikes airbase in Iraq where U.S. troops stationed

U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin described a Monday attack by an Iran-aligned militia on U.S. forces stationed at Al-Asad Airbase in western Iraq, according to a statement by the Defense Department. In a call with Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant, Austin gave an update on measures to strengthen U.S. military power in the region in light of the escalating conflict. He said the attack demonstrated Iran's destabilizing role in the region but did not say which of Iran’s three prominent militias was behind the attack.

News services reported additional details of the attack. At least five U.S. personnel were injured, according to a report by the Reuters news service that cited unnamed U.S. officials. Two Katyusha rockets were fired at the airbase, Reuters added, citing unnamed Iraqi security sources. As of Monday evening, no group had claimed responsibility for the attack, according to the Associated Press.

Did the U.S. military anticipate the attack? Middle East tensions were already high after two high-ranking terrorist leaders were killed in attacks last week. Senior Hezbollah commander Fouad Shukur died last Tuesday during an airstrike on a building in Beirut. Hours later, Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh died in what has been described as a short-range projectile attack in the Iranian capital of Tehran. The Israeli military has not confirmed any involvement in the Tehran strike. Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei blamed what he characterized as the Zionist regime for killing Haniyeh, who he said was a guest in Iran. He also vowed to take revenge for Haniyeh’s death.

Dig deeper: Read A.S. Ibrahim’s commentary for WORLD Opinions on Ismail Haniyeh’s death.