ERBIL (IRAN) – A rocket attack on US-led forces in northern Iraq on Monday resulted in the death of a civilian contractor and injured a US service member, said the US coalition in Iraq said. Such an incident has been deadliest one in almost a year.
The rockets hit in and near a military air base, which was occupied by the US-led coalition at Erbil International Airport. Two US officials said the contractor who lost his life was not American. The coalition said five other contractors had injuries, without elaborating.
The attack, claimed by a little-known group, which according to some Iraqi officials has links with Iran. This brings alive tension in the Middle East while Washington and Tehran were mulling a potential return to the Iran nuclear deal.
Armed groups connected with Iran in Iraq and Yemen have levelled attacks against the United States and its Arab allies in recent weeks, the recent drone attack on a Saudi airport and rockets against the US embassy in Baghdad being a few.
Most of the incidents have caused no casualties, but continued to pressure US troops and US allies in the region in the early days of Joe Biden’s presidency.
US allies such as France have said there should be strict new negotiations, if there are any, and should include Saudi Arabia, Iran’s main regional foe.
Monday’s rocket attack in Erbil, the capital of the Kurdish autonomous region in Iraq, was the deadliest against coalition forces since then.
According to Kurdish security sources, three rockets hit around the airport and at least another two landed nearby.
A third US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the US service member’s injury was a concussion.
A group calling itself Saraya Awliya al-Dam claimed responsibility for the attack on the US-led base. It said its target was the “American occupation” in Iraq. However, there was no evidence that was provided for its claim.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said late Monday the United States was “outraged” by the attack.
In a statement, Blinken said he had reached out to Kurdistan Regional Government Prime Minister Masrour Barzani “to discuss the incident and to pledge our support for all efforts to investigate and hold accountable those responsible.”
Iraq’s government under Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi has teamed up with the United States against Iran-aligned militias. However, they have been struggling to bring the powerful paramilitary groups under control.