As many as three attacks were carried out targeting the US troops and diplomats in a day in Iraq and Syria. This includes an attack in which at least 14 rockets were fired at an Iraqi airbase hosting US forces. Two American service members were injured in the attack.
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Attacks on US forces in Iraq
On Wednesday, at least 14 rockets hit the Ain al-Asad airbase in western Iraq that houses coalition forces. Two US service members were slightly wounded, with one suffering a concussion and the other getting minor cuts, Reuters reported quoting official sources.
Hours later, two rockets were fired at the US embassy inside Baghdad’s Greene Zone. The attack was carried out early on Thursday.
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One of the rockets was diverted by the embassy’s anti-rocket system, while the other fell near the zone’s perimeter, the news agency reported quoting security officials.
Iraqi army officials have described the spate of recent attacks on US forces as unprecedented.
Attacks in Syria
The US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces said that a drone attack was carried out on the Al Omar oil field in an eastern area bordering Iraq on Wednesday. However, no damage was done.
It was carried out in the same area where the US troops had come under a rocket attack on June 28.
Who is behind these attacks?
Although no group has claimed responsibility for the attacks, experts believe that Iran-backed militias are behind them, Reuters reported.
In a US strike on the Iraqi-Syrian border last month, four members of an Iran-backed Iraqi militia group were killed. The group had vowed retaliation.
US-Iran talks
The US is holding indirect talks with Iran to bring compliance with the Iran nuclear deal. Former president Donald Trump had unanimously pulled the US out of the multi-nation deal.
Also read: Stop nuclear brinksmanship: US warns Iran against uranium enrichment
The last talk was held on June 20 and no date is known of when the next round of discussion will be held.
