Iraqi officers: Rockets strike north air base, one injured

At least 4 rockets struck an Iraqi airbase Saturday evening, the Iraqi navy stated in a press release, whereas different officers stated one particular person was wounded on the base the place an American defence firm companies fight plane.
Four safety officers stated that the person wounded at Balad airbase in Salahaddin province labored for the corporate, and one among them stated his nationality was South African. The officers spoke on situation of anonymity according to rules.
They stated US defence firm Sallyport has its headquarters inside the airbase, and at present has 46 personnel there contracted to supply base companies to help Iraq’s F-16 program.

The assault comes days after over a dozen rockets focused coalition forces outdoors Irbil worldwide airport within the Kurdish-controlled area of northern Iraq.
The assault killed one coalition contractor and wounded 9 extra. Iraqi and Kurdish residents have been additionally severely injured.
Somewhat-known Shiite militant group calling itself Saraya Awliya al-Dam, Arabic for Guardians of Blood Brigade, claimed accountability for the assault.
Saturday’s assault comes after NATO introduced it might dramatically scale up its mission in Iraq from 500 personnel to 4,000, with a view to battle the remnants of the Islamic State group, in response to feedback from Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg this week.

The improve comes as US-led coalition troops have steadily lowered their presence in Iraq over the past yr.
NATO’s coaching mission was launched in 2018 to assist the conflict-ravaged nation develop new academies and navy faculties for its armed forces. It was initially positioned within the capital, Baghdad, and in neighboring Jordan.