Baghdad:
Two rockets targeted an airbase at Iraq’s Baghdad airport housing US-led coalition troops on Sunday, in the second such attack in 10 days, the Iraqi army stated.
One of the projectiles was intercepted by the C-RAM counter rocket, artillery and mortar program deployed to shield US troops in Iraq, a safety supply told AFP.
There was no quick claim of duty for the attack which the army stated triggered no casualties.
Washington routinely blames Iran-linked Iraqi factions for such attacks on its troops and diplomats.
Sworn foes Tehran and Washington have each had a presence considering that 2003 in Iraq, exactly where 2,500 US troops are nevertheless deployed.
Last week, 3 rockets crashed into the sector of the Baghdad airport base occupied by Iraqi troops, wounding one soldier.
Almost 30 rocket or bomb attacks have targeted American interests in Iraq — such as troops, the embassy or Iraqi provide convoys to foreign forces — considering that President Joe Biden took workplace in January.
Two foreign contractors, one Iraqi contractor and eight Iraqi civilians have been killed in the strikes.
Dozens of other attacks had been carried out from autumn 2019 below the administration of Biden’s predecessor Donald Trump.
The operations are in some cases claimed by obscure groups that authorities say are smokescreens for Iran-backed organisations lengthy present in Iraq.
The strikes come at a sensitive time as the Islamic republic is engaged in talks with world powers aimed at bringing the US back into a 2015 nuclear deal.
The agreement, which curbs Iran’s nuclear system in exchange for sanctions relief, has been on life help considering that Trump withdrew in 2018.
Pro-Iran Iraqi groups have vowed to ramp up attacks to force out the “occupying” US forces in current months, in some cases against Tehran’s wishes, according to some authorities.
Baghdad last month reportedly hosted a secret meeting of senior officials from Tehran and US-ally Saudi Arabia.
Iraq, wedged involving its eastern neighbour Iran and Saudi Arabia to the south, has been angling to turn into a mediator.